02.07.2026 15:40
The reason behind the cheerful moments at the airport security check for the Argentine National Team heading to Miami for a 2026 World Cup round of 32 match has been revealed. After it turned out that the giant kitchen lighter found in defender Cristian Romero's suitcase was specifically brought for the famous Argentine barbecue culture 'Asado', Lionel Messi burst into laughter.
The security check at the airport for the Argentine National Team squad, which arrived in Miami as part of their World Cup preparations, made headlines in the world press. The behind-the-scenes story of the incident, which began when Tottenham's successful stopper Cristian "Cuti" Romero's suitcase got stuck in the X-ray machine and ended with Lionel Messi's laughter, was revealed.
SUSPICIOUS OBJECT ALARM ON X-RAY MACHINE
During routine checks at the airport, security personnel detected a suspicious object in Romero's suitcase and decided to open the bag. When the suitcase was opened, instead of an item posing a security threat, a giant kitchen lighter emerged. The moment when team captain Lionel Messi couldn't hold back and burst into laughter amidst the bewildered looks of the officials became the most talked-about part of the incident.
THE DETAIL THAT MADE MESSI LAUGH: THE PASSION FOR "ASADO"
So why was a Premier League star carrying a giant kitchen lighter in his suitcase? The secret of that detail that sent Messi into a laughing fit lay in the passion for "Asado" (barbecue), the traditional meat-cooking culture ingrained in the genes of Argentines.
According to information leaked from within the team, Romero, who planned to treat the team to a traditional 'Asado' feast during their camp in the USA, did not want to part with his own special giant lighter to light the barbecue fire. The fact that his teammate had embarked on an intercontinental journey with such a huge and absurd lighter just to grill meat was the real reason behind Messi's famous laughing fit.