A Chinese football fan is mad about Messi
A Chinese football fan is mad about Messi
A brave fan invades pitch and becomes star of the match
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Chinese football fans had a rare opportunity to watch soccer superstar Lionel Messi play in China last week, in a friendly match between Argentina and Australia in Beijing.
61 minutes into the match a teenage fan wearing an Argentina shirt with Messi’s number 10 on it, climbed down a 3-metre stand, ran onto the pitch, dodged security guards, and hugged his idol.
After embracing Messi, he kept running, outpacing security guards, shaking hands with Marcos Javier Acuña, high-fiving with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, before eventually being brought down by six security guards and carried off the pitch, his face beaming with a huge grin.
After a quick telling-off, security allowed him to go back to his seat and watch the match.
The one-minute clip was widely circulated online. The fan, whose surname is Dǐ 邸, was praised for being brave, full of energy, and willing to take a risk to fulfil his dream of meeting Messi.
Di posted about his experience online:
It was me in the photo with Messi! I just got told off by security but Messi and his agent told them not to give me a hard time. I love Messi so much! I originally wanted to arrange a proper photo shoot with Messi through official channels, but it was way too expensive. I’ve seen fans in other countries running onto the field for a photo with. I thought it was cool, and could save me over 100,000 yuan!
So, I had this idea and told my friend before the match. I planned for another friend to cover me, but he chickened out at the last minute. Good thing I got him the ticket! I've been training, running 1,000 metres five times every day for a week. It wasn't in vain.
Hey, folks, being physically fit not only helps you make money but also save money. #MessiChinaTour #LoveFootball [1]
和梅西合影的就是我，刚被安保放回来被批评了一下，梅西和经纪人说让安保和主办方不要为难我。太爱梅西了，感恩本来打算给自己安排一下梅西正规渠道的合影，但是真的太贵了。之前看到国外也有球迷冲进场内合影，觉得很酷，又可以立省100000+。所以就有了这想法去看比赛前和朋友说了，本来打算另外一个朋友也冲进去帮我打掩护没想到他居然临阵退缩了，得亏票还是我给他安排的。这场比赛之前跑了一周的1000米，每天跑5个，没白费。朋友们，有好身体不但可以赚钱还可以省钱#梅西中国行 #热爱足球 [1]
Memes of the episode followed.
Like this security guard who seems more interested in the players:
With this comment:
And this one, seriously? If you're pursuing someone, just go after them. What's with sneaking a glance at the superstar? Are you here to chase people or to chase stars? Make up your mind and be clear about it.
还有这位，你追人就追人吧，还回头看一眼球星是怎么回事，你到底是来追人的，还是来追星的，你说清楚 [1]
Brands also took the opportunity to make the most of the stunt.
The biggest winner was badminton footwear brand, Yonex:
These shoes that the football fan wore while running around the pitch were made by YONEX, and the brand seized the opportunity right away. On e-commerce platforms, the slogan for the shoes was swiftly changed from "A great pair of shoes, dominating the field" to "Messi fan shoes, Argentina team colours." YONEX started actively promoting these shoes in live-streams, with hosts even joking: "With these shoes on, even 12 security guards can't catch you." [3]
陪着他驰骋全场的是这双鞋，机会给到了YONEX，它马上就抓住了。在电商平台上，该鞋款的文案连夜从“一双好鞋，掌控全场”改成了“梅西球迷球鞋，阿根廷队配色”。YONEX还在直播间卖力推销这款鞋，主播甚至调侃说，“穿上这双鞋，12个保安也逮不住”。[3]
But for the thousands of Chinese football fans in the Worker’s Stadium, there's still a long way to go, according to one online comment:
This must be the closest Chinese people have ever been to becoming a World Cup champion on the football field. [4]
这一定是中国人在足球场上离世界冠军最近的一次 [4]
So that's what we explore this week!
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Favourite Five
1. 驰骋 chí chěng
to gallop, to run freely
毕竟陪着他驰骋全场的是这双鞋，机会给到了YONEX，它马上就抓住了 - After all, he wore these YONEX shoes as he galloped across the pitch. The opportunity came, and the brand immediately seized it. [3]
2. 追星族 zhuī xīng zú
star chaser, celebrity enthusiast, fan
这位年纪小小的梅西粉丝，靠着自己跑得比兔子还快的双腿，成为了当晚最幸福的追星族 - This young Messi fan, relying on his legs that ran faster than a rabbit, became the happiest star chaser of the night. [3]
3. 轰轰烈烈 hōng hōng liè liè
magnificent, grand, with great vigour
少年驰骋的风比黄金都贵，轰轰烈烈才是人生 - The wind that a young person gallops with is more precious than gold. Magnificent and spectacular experiences are what life is about. [3]
4. 遥遥领先 yáo yáo lǐng xiān
far ahead, leading by a large margin
在场上遛着安保人员跑了一大圈之后，依然是遥遥领先 - After running a lap around the security personnel on the pitch, he still remained far ahead, leading by a large margin. [3]
5. 如入无人之境 rú rù wú rén zhī jìng
like entering an uninhabited realm, as if nobody is around
为什么竟然能让一个十几岁的小孩来去自如，如入无人之境呢 - How could it be possible for a teenager to come and go freely, as if entering an uninhabited realm? [1]
Note: First coined by Song dynasty writer, Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修. The phrase means to arrive on a battlefield and there be none there - leading to an easy victory.
Consuming the Conversation
Useful Words
6. 乱入 luàn rù
to intrude, to barge in
这个小伙子的这次“乱入”，只能算是一个比赛的“插曲”，并不能算得上是一个严重比赛“事故” - This young man's "intrusion" can only be regarded as an "interlude" in the match, rather than a serious "incident". [1]
Related:
闯入 chuǎng rù - to break in
7. 插曲 chā qǔ
interlude
毕竟他的这次“插曲”，让很多人都很开心 - After all, this interlude brought joy to many people. [1]
8. 晃过 huǎng guò
to shake off, to dodge
冲进澳大利亚队禁区，抱了梅西，晃过三个保安，漏掉了洛塞尔主动伸出来的手 - He rushed into the Australian team's penalty area, hugged Messi, dodged three security guards, and almost shook the outstretched hand of Lo Celso. [2]
9. 绿茵 lǜ yīn
green turf, football pitch
这个一阵风似的少年，着实也在绿茵上燃起了一把火，烧到了无数球迷和网友的心里 - This youth running like the wind truly ignited a fire on the football pitch, burning in the hearts of countless fans and netizens. [2]
10. 惊诧 jīng chà
amazement, astonishment
让很多人惊诧甚至羡慕的，是一个未成年人从三米看台跳下的勇气 - What amazed and even made many people envy him was the courage of an underage boy to jump from a three-meter platform. [2]
11. 恣肆 zì sì
unrestrained, indulgent
这种青春恣肆的任性，自由奔跑的欢畅，让压抑太久沉默太久的人们看到了内心最真实的投影 - This unrestrained and indulgent youthfulness and the joy of running freely allowed those who had been suppressed and silent for too long to see the most authentic reflection of their inner selves. [2]
12. 祭奠 jì diàn
to commemorate; pay respect to
原谅和宽容这个少年，就是对自己青春和梦想的祭奠 - Forgiving and being tolerant towards this young boy is a way to pay respect to one's own youth and dreams. [4]
Three-character phrases
13. 抢风头 qiǎng fēng tou
to steal the limelight, to grab the spotlight
媒体称他为球场“占领者”，并在各大媒体平台上疯传，甚至抢了梅西的风头 - The media dubbed him the "occupier" of the field, and his story went viral on major media platforms, even stealing the limelight from Messi. [5]
14. 佼佼者 jiǎo jiǎo zhě
the best
梅西无疑是群星闪耀中的的佼佼者，他之所以受到全世界的追捧是因为他本身也是一个勇敢拥抱梦想的人 - Messi is undoubtedly the best. The reason why he is sought after all over the world is because he is also a person who bravely embraces his dreams. [4]
Idioms
15. 开怀大笑 kāi huái dà xiào
to laugh heartily, to burst into laughter
最后自己摔倒在地上，被四五个人抬出去的时候，开怀大笑，全场球迷喊“牛” [2] - Finally, when he fell to the ground and was carried out by four or five people, he burst into laughter, and the entire crowd of fans shouted "niu!"
16. 热血沸腾 rè xuè fèi téng
to be impassioned, to be filled with excitement
多少中年人看完现场视频热血沸腾，甚至起鸡皮疙瘩了 - How many middle-aged people were filled with excitement and even got goosebumps after watching the video? [2]
Related:
热血 rè xuè - hot blooded, high energy
血脉贲张 xuè mài bēn zhāng - to be impassioned, to have one's blood boiling
17. 放手一搏 fàng shǒu yì bó
to give it a try, to make a desperate effort
梦想，勇气，执行力，承认吧，我们心底多少都还有放手一搏的心气 - Dreams, courage, and determination. Let's admit it, deep down in our hearts, we all have the spirit to give it a try. [2]
18. 天衣无缝 tiān yī wú fèng
seamless, perfect
首先是快手，做了一个meme图，蹭得天衣无缝，简直是完美融入 - First, Kuaishou created a meme image that seamlessly blended its own brand in. [3]
19. 排山倒海 pái shān dǎo hǎi
tremendous, overwhelming
在这种排山倒海的声浪中，少年先是带翻了追逐他的臃肿保安 - Amidst the tremendous roar, the young boy first dodged the clumsy security guards who were chasing him. [4]
Related:
移山倒海 - yí shān dǎo hǎi - to move mountains and overturn seas
20. 行云流水 xíng yún liú shuǐ
to proceed smoothly and effortlessly
整个过程如行云流水，后被蜂拥而至的保安们抬下场 - He executed the entire set of action smoothly and effortlessly, and later the security personnel rushed in and carried him off the field. [4]
Note: From a well-known Su Shi 苏轼 poem.
21. 四仰八叉 sì yǎng bā chā
in a chaotic and dishevelled manner, in a mess
四仰八叉被抬出场又算得了什么呢 - What does it matter if he was carried off the field in a chaotic and disheveled manner? [4]
Note: From a Northern dialect
22. 众目睽睽 zhòng mù kuí kuí
under the gaze of everyone, in full view
众目睽睽之下，他冲破重重桎梏，只为拥抱自己所热爱的人 - Under the gaze of everyone, he broke through numerous constraints just to embrace the one he loves. [2]
Note: We learned this idiom in last week's newsletter!
Phrases
23. 永葆青春 yǒng bǎo qīng chūn
to stay forever young, to maintain youthful vigour
他们成为永葆青春梦想、永葆奋斗激情的人、能够改变世界、创造未来的人 - They became those who stay forever young in their dreams, in their passion for striving, capable of changing the world and creating the future. [4]
24. 不是吃素的 bú shì chī sù de
not to be trifled with, not to be taken lightly
没想到的是，这家伙竟然不是吃素的。当他看到靠近的保安人员时，他立即逃跑了 - Unexpectedly, this young lad is not someone to be taken lightly. When he saw the approaching security personnel, he immediately escaped. [5]
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