Lionel Messi was stopped at the Beijing Airport border control while attempting to use his Spanish passport rather than his Argentine one.
Last weekend, the 35-year-old arrived in China on a private jet, accompanied by his ‘bodyguard’ and a number of friends, including Argentina star Angel di Maria.
Messi was on his way to join his international teammates ahead of Thursday’s friendly against Australia.
A social media video showed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner surrounded by several police officers. Messi appeared to be clutching his passport while discussing the situation with them.
The local press in China reported that the problems arose because Messi used the wrong passport.
It is claimed that Messi believed he could travel to Taiwan on his Spanish passport, meaning that it was also valid for China.
He was quoted as saying: “Is Taiwan not China?”
Messi was delayed for two more hours before he was finally granted a visa and let through.