In the midst of the Argentina national team’s focus as they prepared to play the World Cup 2026 knockout stage, one airport incident delivered one of the trip’s most amusing scenes.
It all happened as the delegation passed through security control and Cristian Romero’s suitcase drew the attention of the baggage inspectors.
As it went through the scanner, an object raised the suspicions of airport staff, who decided to open the suitcase for inspection. While they watched the check, Lionel Messi and several of his teammates observed the scene with curiosity.
The surprise came when a kitchen lighter appeared, an item not commonly found in a professional footballer’s luggage.
Messi’s reaction that went viral
As soon as he saw the object, Messi could not contain his laughter. The team captain burst into fits of laughter while looking at Cuti Romero, in a relaxed moment that was captured by cameras and quickly began circulating on social media.
The amusing moment once again highlighted the relaxed atmosphere within the Argentine squad during the World Cup and was celebrated by thousands of fans, who shared the video and reacted with humor to the unexpected discovery.
Why was Cuti Romero carrying a lighter?
Hours later, the explanation came to light. The defender uses that lighter to ignite palo santo and sage the rooms where the national team stays, as part of a superstition he shares with Lisandro Martínez and Nahuel Molina.
Although the reason was completely harmless, the lighter was retained by airport authorities, as security rules do not allow transporting such flammable items in carry-on luggage.
