AN IMAGE has emerged of Ezequiel Lavezzi making what appears to be a 'racist' gesture and it has led to outrage on social media.

The Argentine was this week confirmed as the highest-paid player in football, earning a staggering £798,000-a-week.

3 This image of Ezequiel Lavezzi from February has caused outrage on Twitter Credit: Getty Images

However, he has faced a huge backlash on Twitter after a picture appeared of him, smiling and making a gesture with his hands which is considered hugely offensive towards people of China.

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One Twitter user said: “Shame on you Lavezzi”.

Another comment read: "WTF? This is so racist!".

3 Ezequiel Lavezzi in action for Hebei Fortune in the Chinese Super League Credit: Getty Images

3 The Argentine moved to China from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 Credit: EPA FILE

And someone else said: "I am a Chinese, I just want to say to Lavezzi get out of my country."

Another comment on Twitter read: "This is so freaking insulting!".

The Sun has contacted Lavezzi's agent for comment.

A spokesman from Kick if Out told The Sun: "Only Ezequiel Lavezzi and the photographer will know what they were doing or trying to achieve in taking this photograph.

"It was poor judgement to take part in a photo which is offensive to many and discriminatory. Greater thought should have been given to considering the consequences of such actions."

Lavezzi joined Hebei Fortune from Paris Saint-Germain last year.

The image is available to purchase from Getty Images on their website and was taken in Marbella in February.

I am a Chinese, I just want to say to Lavezzi,😠 get out of my country — asokachou (@asokachou) May 13, 2017

Shame on you lavezzi — amber Liu🍩 (@iamber0120) May 13, 2017

This is so freaking insulting! Wtf — Ruiting Zhan (@Williams_Zhan) May 13, 2017

Ezequiel Lavezzi GET OUT OF CHINA YOU DISGUSTING RACIST!!! — 诸君北面我自西向 (@fuyihang) May 14, 2017

WTF? This is so racist! — Degel (@dongxue) May 13, 2017

Thank you for pointing that out. That's definitely a discriminate or at least inappropriate action. — Hanyan Wang (@hanyan03) May 13, 2017

People in China haven’t been aware of the seriousness of this stuff. Mr.Lavezzi is setting a poor example, and he needs to be stopped. — Nicholas Yan-jun Yi (@nicholas_yi666) May 13, 2017

Lavezzi is the highest paid footballer in the world.... about 800k a week.



Plays in China.



Also does this... pic.twitter.com/KNRvyu1iV5 — James Gregg (@jamesgregg7) May 13, 2017