LONDON -- The Internet's mind was collectively blown Friday when Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero posted a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping -- with another world leader trying to edge in on the action.
.@aguerosergiokun: "Thank you for the selfie, President Xi" 感谢能与您自拍，习主席！#CFAStateVisit pic.twitter.com/4du2zIaacY— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 23, 2015
Manchester United fan Xi was taken on a tour of rival Manchester City's stadium as part of his visit to the north, which is perhaps one of the undercurrents behind the weirdness of this photo. The Argentine striker was helping to show them around and apparently couldn't pass up a chance to score a famous selfie.
No mention of Prime Minister David Cameron's selfie bomb, though, in Aguero's tweet. But it did give armchair political commentators a chance for quips.
Sergio Aguero having a selfie with one of the world's most oppressive leaders and the Chinese president. pic.twitter.com/yjz6RLDJXG— Chris(topher) (@ProudieYT) October 23, 2015
@MCFC @BBCSport @aguerosergiokun Classic Aguero - in the middle between a left winger and a right winger.— Jim Hearson (@JimHearson) October 23, 2015
@MCFC @aguerosergiokun Poor Kun, one responsible for death and misery of thousands, the other is President Xi...— Twobob Mike (@TwobobTwobob2) October 23, 2015
The Chinese president's four-day visit to the UK has been met with pomp and protests. The UK has been accused of doing China's bidding, both with arrests and for £30 billion ($46 billion) in trade deals made.
British police arrested a survivor of the Tiananmen Square massacre who lives in the UK and searched his home following a peaceful protest against Xi. Shao Jiang was tackled by police after holding placards in front of Xi's London motorcade, and then police searched his home and seized his computers.
Chinese dissident artist Ai Wewei said Cameron was being too accommodating of Xi on the issue of human rights. Downing Street said Cameron had raised the issue with Xi, but didn't get any details on the substance or length of the discussions.
However, this selfie proves that someone was happy to see Xi, at least.