Kolkata, Dec 13: Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan met global football icon Lionel Messi during the Argentine
legend's brief visit to Kolkata, marking a rare crossover moment between two of the world's most followed sporting and entertainment personalities.
The meeting took place on Saturday (December 13) morning at the Salt Lake Stadium, where Messi made a short public appearance as part of his India visit.
Shah Rukh Khan, who was in the city for the special programme, shared a warm interaction with Messi, underlining the global appeal of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. While Messi's appearance lasted barely 22 minutes, the meeting with the KKR co-owner became one of the highlights of the event, drawing massive attention across social media platforms.
The encounter carried special significance for Kolkata, a city known for its deep-rooted football culture and passionate sporting fanbase. Shah Rukh Khan, whose association with sport extends beyond cricket through KKR's IPL legacy, has often spoken about the importance of global sporting icons inspiring young athletes in India. His meeting with Messi symbolised that very connection, blending football's worldwide influence with India's pop culture appeal.
King Shah Rukh Khan with AbRam Khan clicked while meeting G.O.A.T Lionel Messi in Kolkata 😍 @iamsrk @pooja_dadlani#AbRamKhan #ShahRukhKhan #SRK #Messi #TeamShahRukhKhan #MessiInIndia #GOAT2025 pic.twitter.com/ABjXjpQGNi
- Team Shah Rukh Khan Fan Club (@teamsrkfc) December 13, 2025
Messi's visit had generated enormous excitement among fans, with thousands flocking to the iconic venue hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar. However, the programme was eventually cut short amid crowd management issues, limiting Messi's on-field interaction.
While the celebrities and politicians did get to catch a glimpse of the superstar footballer, fans - who paid hefty price for tickets - weren't that lucky. Reacting on the chaos and mismanagement, one of the Inter Maimi star striker said, "Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything. "
The abrupt end did leave a bitter taste for the fans', but the moment of interaction with Shah Rukh Khan would have offered a memorable takeaway for their respective fans from the high-profile visit.
The meeting between Shah Rukh Khan and Lionel Messi added a touch of glamour and global relevance to the event, reinforcing Kolkata's status as a city capable of hosting world icons - even as discussions continue around better planning and execution for such marquee occasions in the future.
