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Delhi is set to witness a historic sporting spectacle as Argentine football legend Lionel Messi arrives in the national capital on December 15 as part of his ongoing GOAT India Tour.
The event, scheduled at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium, has already been sold out, underlining the enormous excitement surrounding Messi's maiden public appearance in Delhi.
For football fans in the city, this marks a once-in-a-lifetime moment. While Messi has previously visited India with the Argentina national team in 2011, Delhi supporters will finally get their first-ever live glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will be joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul for a high-profile
exhibition featuring some of India's biggest sporting names.
All eyes will be on the anticipated interaction between Messi and Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, who is expected to take part in the exhibition and felicitation ceremony. The buzz around the Delhi leg of the tour has intensified following Messi's recent meeting with Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai-an iconic crossover that united two global greats from different sports.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, Messi is also expected to have a private meet-and-greet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Reports suggest that senior constitutional and defence officials may also be present, although an official confirmation from the Prime Minister's Office is still awaited.
Messi will arrive in Delhi on the morning of December 15 after completing his Mumbai engagement, before heading straight into a tightly packed schedule at the stadium.
Event Details at Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Event Timing: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM IST
- Gates Open: 11:30 AM IST
Programme Schedule
- 2:30 PM: Welcome music and opening proceedings
- 2:50 PM: Celebrity football match begins
- 3:30 PM: Lionel Messi joins the celebrity match
- 3:45 PM: Football clinic with 30 selected children
- 4:20 PM: On-stage felicitation and ceremony
With football, celebrity power and high-profile dignitaries all coming together, the Delhi stop of Lionel Messi's India Tour promises to be a landmark event in Indian sporting history.
