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£4m-a-year Brazilian football star Neymar is let into Britain by 'starstruck' immigration officials at Luton Airport - despite forgetting his passport

Brazilian footballer Neymar arrived in Luton Airport on Tuesday night
He gave immigration officials documents but did not have his passport
Barcelona striker reportedly said he had an 'important meeting' to attend
He was later photographed promoting jeans at Selfridges in Oxford Street

Published: 08:30 GMT, 19 May 2016 | Updated: 09:24 GMT, 19 May 2016

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Brazilian footballer Neymar was allowed into the UK by 'starstruck' immigration officials even though he had forgotten his passport.

The Barcelona striker was photographed speaking to border staff after landing at Luton Airport on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old, who is said to make £77,000-a-week, handed over a number of documents, including his Spanish residency card, but did not have his passport.

Globe trotter: Neymar, pictured second from left, was allowed into the UK despite forgetting his passport. The striker shared this photograph on social media on Tuesday, which appears to have been taken on the tarmac

'Important meeting': The Brazilian footballer was later photographed promoting jeans at Selfridges in London

One onlooker told the Sun the footballer told staff he had an 'important meeting' and was allowed to cross the border minutes later. He was also seen relaxing in the airport's VIP lounge.

'I think the staff at the airport were quite starstruck at seeing him,' the source said. 'It isn't every day they come across one of the best footballers in the world.

'If it was a non-celebrity who people didn't know they wouldn't even have managed to leave Spain, let alone be let in here once they're at Luton.'

The footballer later joined a string of celebrities including rapper Professor Green and model Daisy Lowe at Selfridges in London's Oxford Street for a launch for fashion brand Replay.

He was seen smiling with a young Barcelona fan and posing at the brand's new concession in the department store.

Neymar also posted a photograph on Tuesday night showing him standing on the tarmac, with the caption: 'brothers'.

Regular visitor: The 24-year-old smiles for a picture with a young fan as he made yet another trip to London

Promotion: Neymar poses in front of the Replay concession stand in Selfridges, London, on Tuesday night

A Home Office spokesman said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

However MailOnline understands that, in exceptional circumstances, a non-EU national can be allowed in the UK without a passport after checks have taken place, including to verify their identity.

A spokesman for Neymar told the Sun: 'Immigration verified the legality of his ID and let him go 15 minutes later.'

The sporting star has become a regular visitor to England in recent months amid speculation of a potential move to the Premier League.

The Brazilian is also preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero this summer. However it has emerged that manager Dunga is considering dropping him as captain of the national team.

He said: 'I am going to change some things, and I must speak with Neymar.

'His way of playing and dribbling, which is so liked in football, does take him into collisions. It is the same at Barcelona. It's not about the armband.

'At first I thought making him captain would give him more security and make him feel more important.'