Fans hold up a drawing of Lionel Messi and an Argentina No. 10 jersey while waiting to catch a glimpse of the soccer legend in Beijing on Tuesday. Argentina is scheduled to play Australia in a friendly match at the capital’s Workers’ Stadium on Thursday. Photo: Ng Han Guan/VCG

Messi kicks the ball during a practice in Beijing on Tuesday. The team’s first training session in Beijing, scheduled for Sunday night, was canceled due to the large number of fans gathered outside the hotel where the team is staying. Photo: Ng Han Guan/VCG

Messi greets fans on a bus as he and other members of Argentina’s national soccer team return to the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing on Tuesday night. Photo: Andy Wong/VCG

Fans try to get a peek at Messi and his teammates as their bus returns to the hotel. Photo: Andy Wong/VCG

Fans cheer as they wait outside the hotel for the team on Monday. Photo: VCG

Hordes of fans occupy the hotel lobby on Saturday. Photo: Jade Gao/VCG

Messi and his teammates head into the hotel. Photo: VCG

Messi disembarks from his private jet Saturday. This marks his seventh trip to China. Photo: VCG