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There are icons and legends but few better or noted than the man called Lionel Messi. A phenomenon if you like. But here’s what’s making news akin to a storm in the desert that can’t go unnoticed. Lionel Messi is set to arrive in India on Saturday as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025, a special three-day visit that will see the Argentine great travel across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
When does the Lionel Messi tour begin? The tour begins in Kolkata on December 13 and wraps up in the national capital on December 15. Fans in India will also be able to catch select events from the tour through live streaming.
Who are set to join the iconic Argentine?
Messi will be joined by his close associate and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez, along with Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who played a crucial role in their FIFA World Cup 2022 triumph.
The Lionel Messi in India tour will feature a mix of fan interactions, cultural programmes and celebrity football matches at major venues.
The schedule at Kolkata Kolkata will host the opening leg, where Messi will take part in a meet-and-greet and virtually unveil a massive 70-foot statue of himself at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. The iconic Salt Lake Stadium, where Messi last played in India during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela in 2011, will also host special events and concerts. This marks Messi’s first visit to India in 14 years.
A plethora of high-profile Indian personalities are expected to be part of the celebrations, including former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly (who’s also a die hard soccer fan) and Bollywood superstar and icon Shah Rukh Khan.
Interestingly, the legendary Argentine is also scheduled to participate in or attend seven-a-side football events in all four cities. Later on Saturday, he will travel to Hyderabad, where events are planned at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The city of Mumbai, not just known for its filmy fever but as India’s financial capital, will welcome the football legend on December 14 for the Padel GOAT Cup at Brabourne Stadium. And what a sight might that be, isn’t it?
The day will also feature a celebrity football match involving popular Bollywood actors. Shah Rukh Khan and cricket great Sachin Tendulkar are among the notable names expected at the padel event.
Other highlights of Messi’s India’s tour include a charity fashion show, an auction of memorabilia from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign, and a Spanish-themed musical evening led by Luis Suárez.
How does the schedule look like from December 15?
The final leg of the tour will take Messi to New Delhi on December 15, with events scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the presence of leading Indian cricketers.
At the ripe young age of 38, the Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist continues to be one of the most influential figures in world football, which shouldn’t be a surprise really given his proclivity for tireless work and his passion for fitness.
Additionally, his India visit is expected to be a memorable occasion for fans across the country.
