Lionel Messi's much-anticipated India tour this December has stirred excitement across the country, with fans eagerly awaiting the football legend's arrival.
However, amid swirling rumours of the Argentine icon participating in a celebrity cricket match alongside Indian stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, the official word is finally out: there will be no cricket match.
Satadru Dutta, the sports promoter organising Messi's India tour, has firmly denied the speculation on his Facebook post. On August 3, he indirectly addressed media reports suggesting a crossover event with Indian cricket icons, urging fans not to fall for "unfounded rumours. "
"Who I am trying my best to bring to India (Messi), apparently he's going to play cricket. From what I see, the Indian media seems to know more than I do. He's a footballer, so whatever I do will be with football in focus and with respect to footballers. And yes, some notable people might try to explain a few things to him about cricket, but there will be no cricket match. So, don't pay attention to rumours. "
In a Facebook Live session on August 5, Dutta clarified again that while the hype around cricket is expected in India, Messi's visit will remain strictly football-focused.
"The main objective is to promote football. People will try to drag in cricket as it is the most popular sport in the country, but that won't change the core agenda," Dutta said, reiterating his commitment to spotlighting the sport Messi represents.
Dutta has brought the likes of footballing legends like Diego Maradona, Pele, Cafu to India. Two years ago, he also brought Messi's teammate and FIFA World Cup winner, Emi Martinez to Kolkata as well.
Despite a report by The Indian Express quoting an unnamed Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) source suggesting Messi "may play" a cricket match at Wankhede Stadium on December 14, no official confirmation has come from either Messi's team or the event organisers. The so-called match remains speculative, and Dutta's repeated denials indicate it is unlikely to be part of the schedule.
For the unversed, Messi featured in a Herbalife ad back in 2013, where he tried his hands in cricket. But this time, it looks like it won't happen in front of the Indian faithful.
Messi's India itinerary includes stops in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. His journey begins in Kolkata on December 12, where he will be honored with a 70-foot statue unveiling and celebrated at Eden Gardens with the "GOAT Concert" and "GOAT Cup. " He will later travel to Mumbai and Delhi, with the highlight being a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15.
This will mark Messi's first return to India since 2011, where he made his captaincy debut with Argentina in Kolkata against Venezuela. Like always, he is expected to inspire the next generation of footballers in a country still growing in its love for the beautiful game.
For now, fans can rest assured - Messi is coming, but not with a bat or a ball in hand.
