Messi's arrival in South Africa creates chaos in Johannesburg

Messi's arrival in South Africa creates chaos in Johannesburg

El Barcelona ya está en Johannesburgo
El Barcelona ya está en Johannesburgo / | sport

Barça are in the country to play a friendly match on Wednesday

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the player most in-demand when the La Liga champions arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning. 

Hundreds of fans had gathered at the airport to photograph the Barça team and to ask for autographs ahead of their friendly match in the city. 

Barça will play Mamelodi Sundowns at Soccer City to celebrate 100 years since the birth of the country's former political leader Nelson Mandela. 

Messi and Suarez, friends on and off the pitch, were the first two to appear at the airport, provoking chaos among the supporters who were hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes. 

All the players waved and greeted the fans as they made their way to the bus which took them to their hotel. 

Barça's match against Mamelodi Sundowns kicks off at 18.15 CET and comes just three days after the Catalans lost their unbeaten record in the league this season at Levante.  

It will be the second game the club have played against Mamelodi Sundowns, with the first meeting ending in a 2-1 win for the Blaugrana back in 2007 -- a game which was attended by Mandela before his death in 2013. 

Topics with the letter