Football legend Lionel Messi is all set to make his much-awaited return to India this December after a gap of 14 years. He first visited the country back in 2011 when he led the Argentina side in a historic friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Messi’s four-city tour to India is slated to begin in Kolkata on December 13. He will arrive in Kolkata to begin the 2025 GOAT Tour of India. After his visit to Kolkata, he will fly to Hyderabad, which will be followed by his visits to Mumbai and Delhi, respectively.
GOAT Tour Begins In Kolkata
Messi has a packed schedule in Kolkata on December 13. According to reports, a meet-and-greet program will be held at a luxury hotel. After that, he will travel to Salt Lake Stadium, where Bengali movie stars will welcome him during a dance programme. He is also set to meet the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
The event will also feature a short football match between Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour, during which fans may get the opportunity to witness Messi taking a few shots. Messi is also set to share the pitch alongside Indian sporting legends such as Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia and Leander Paes. There will be a magnificent felicitation ceremony at the end of the program.
The schedule reportedly also involves the unveiling of Messi’s 70-foot statue in Lake Town. However, it’s still not confirmed if Messi will be there at the presentation in Lake Town or if it will take place digitally from Salt Lake Stadium.
Kolkata To Hyderabad
From Kolkata, Messi will leave for Hyderabad on December 13 in the afternoon. From December 13 to 15, the original schedule called for visits in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. Later, the organisers added Hyderabad as a new stop.
Messi issued the update in a social media post, thanking Indian fans for their overwhelming support on November 27. “Thanks for all the love from India! The GOAT tour kicks off in a few weeks’ time! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. See you soon India!” he wrote.
Messi Likely To Meet Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar And M S Dhoni
The ‘Padel GOAT Cup’ which will take place in Mumbai on December 14, will feature Messi together with a thrilling lineup of athletes and celebrities. Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni, and several Bollywood stars are likely gonna be present there.
The Final Destination – Delhi
The tour will finally finish in Delhi on December 15, where Messi is reportedly set to meet the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The capital will host the final stage of events, closing out a three-day schedule.
Messi’s four-city tour, which spans the east, south, west, and north, is one of the biggest celebrity sporting tours the nation has ever seen. For millions of Indian football fans, his arrival in December is more than just a tour; it symbolises the return of a global superstar to a nation where his legacy has steadily risen since his first visit in 2011.