The Gulfstream V private jet, worth £11m and used by Lionel Messi, was compelled to land in an emergency at Brussels, Belgium after its landing gear malfunctioned mid-flight on Friday.
The identity of the passengers has not been disclosed, but the aircraft was en route to Tenerife, Spain, before it made an unscheduled landing at Zaventem Airport in the Belgian capital at 9.18 am.
Nearly 30 minutes later, the plane took off again only to return promptly to Brussels.
The football star hasn’t purchased the plane but frequently charters it, customizing the interiors with his children’s names and designating the aircraft tail with No.10.
Flight Aware data indicates that the aircraft flew from San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina to Guararapes Airport in Recife, Brazil, a 5-hour and 51-minute flight. The flight then departed from Recife at 7.19 pm local time last night, before making a rapid stop in Brussels this morning.