Lionel Messi is being lined up for a diplomatic visit to North Korea.
The Barcelona star has been cordially invited to visit the secretive state by Han Un Gyong, a member of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) executive committee. She was speaking on behalf of the Pyongyang International Football School, which was set up by North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un – a huge football fan. It's understood that no such invite would be made without the approval of North Korea's most powerful man.
As quoted in the South China Morning Post, Han Un Gyong said:
"I want to invite him, because our children love him. When I go to the Pyongyang international school, I ask them who do you think is the best player. They say: 'Ah, we love Messi!' Even the girls.
They read books about Messi and watch his games through the Internet. They can see all the games, China, Europe and everything at our Pyongyang International School. They can watch any football."
While major athletes regularly make trips to Asia as part of sponsorship agreements, a visit by Lionel Messi to the normally off-limits North Korea would certainly be newsworthy. Dennis Rodman was the last major name to be hosted by Kim Jong-un in North Korea, a trip that Rodman claims was responsible for the release of American hostage Kenneth Bae.
Kim Jong-un is probably a fan of Messi's hairstyle.
1.
Perhaps all of Lionel Messi's recent transfer speculation could just end up with the Ballon d'Or nominee signing for the illustrious Pyongyang City?
[via South China Morning Post]
