Lionel Messi landed on Mumbai shores on Sunday on Day 2 of the GOAT India Tour 2025 as Messi-mania gripped the Maximum City in bespoke fashion.
Fans of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner decorated the famous
Mumbai local trains with banners, scarves and jerseys paying homage to the Argentine World Cup-winner.
Mumbai local hijacked from Messi fans 🐐💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/BVpcWqylIC
— FCB MUMBAI 🇮🇳 (@fcbmumbai) December 14, 2025
After a chaotic start to the Tour on Saturday morning at the Salt Lake Stadium, the Hyderabad leg in the evening helped offset the pandemonium in Kolkata. Messi appeared comfortable on the field, passing the ball around with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, as Telangana CM Revanth Reddy also joined in.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner thrilled fans with a few touches before sending lucky spectators home with a memento by kicking a ball into the stands, where excited followers scrambled to catch it. Messi was honoured by Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the exhibition game in Uppal.
After the event in Telangana, Messi flew to Mumbai, where another exciting day awaited him. He was expected to participate in pick-up padel games and attend a celebrity game later in the evening.
Messi travelled to Hyderabad after a chaotic visit to Kolkata, where fans who had paid to see him were left disappointed. Politicians and organisers obstructed the Argentine superstar during his lap of honour at VYBK, preventing fans from getting a clear view of him. This led to security breaches and forced Messi to stop his lap of honour midway. Frustrated with the event’s organisation, fans began removing chairs and throwing various objects.
Messi arrived in Kolkata early on Saturday morning to great enthusiasm. Thousands of followers gathered at hotels, streets, and landmarks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football icon. He unveiled a statue of his likeness at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum. The statue depicts the legend holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, commemorating his crowning achievement with Argentina in Qatar.
