Lionel Messi's India Tour: India is gearing up for one of its most anticipated sporting events in recent memory as Lionel Messi touches down for a three-day
celebration dubbed the GOAT Tour. The Argentine icon, returning to the country after 14 years, will travel across four major Indian cities from December 13 to 15, meeting dignitaries, participating in star-studded events, and engaging with fans in what promises to be a historic visit.
Messi's last trip to India came in 2011, when he captained Argentina in a friendly against Venezuela in Kolkata. This time, his schedule is even more ambitious. Organised by promoter Satadru Dutta, who has previously brought global football legends like Maradona, Pele and Emi MartÍnez to India, the tour will also feature Messi's close friend Luis Suárez and Argentine World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul.
First Stop In Kolkata
Messi will depart from Miami and make a brief stopover in Dubai before landing in Kolkata at approximately 1:30 am on December 13. His day in the "City of Joy" begins early, with a meet-and-greet session starting at 9:30 am, followed by the virtual unveiling of his 70-foot statue. The footballing superstar will then head to the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, where he is expected to be joined by Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and cricket legend Sourav Ganguly. A brief celebrity-friendly match is also scheduled before Messi flies to Hyderabad.
Hyderabad Tour
In Hyderabad, Messi will lead a 7v7 exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also slated to participate. The evening will conclude with a musical tribute in Messi's honour. Fans will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to click pictures with Messi in an exclusive meet-and-greet session by paying a whopping Rs 10 lakhs per person! The tickets are already available on the District app and the slots are very limited to only 100 and the session will take place in all the cities with the prices remaining the same.
Mumbai
The tour continues in Mumbai on December 14, where Messi will make multiple high-profile appearances. His engagements include a session at the CCI for the Padel Cup, a celebrity match, and a major event at Wankhede Stadium. The night will wrap up with a charity fashion show, alongside a Spanish music performance featuring Suárez and de Paul.
Final Stop: Delhi
Messi's final stop is New Delhi on December 15, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before attending a special programme at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which includes the felicitation of Minerva Academy's youth players.
With a packed itinerary and appearances across four cities, Messi's GOAT Tour is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for Indian fans.
