The wait is finally over! Lionel Messi touched down in Kolkata on Saturday morning to launch the highly anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025, marking his first visit to India in 14 years. Thousands of passionate fans braved the December chill and gathered at the airport and hotel to welcome the World Cup champion with chants of “Messi, Messi” echoing through the City of Joy.
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Lionel Messi GOAT Tour 2025: Complete Schedule Breakdown
The three-day tour spans four major Indian cities, featuring celebrity matches, cultural events, and exclusive interactions with the football icon.
| Date | City | Venue | Key Events | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13 | Kolkata | Salt Lake Stadium | 70-foot statue unveiling, 7v7 match with Sourav Ganguly | ₹4,366+ |
| Dec 13 | Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 7v7 match with government school children (7 PM) | ₹2,250+ |
| Dec 14 | Mumbai | Cricket Club of India | Padel GOAT Cup, charity auction, ramp walk | ₹7,080+ |
| Dec 15 | New Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | PM Modi meeting, Minerva Academy felicitation | ₹4,720+ |
Kolkata Welcomes Messi with Historic 70-Foot Statue
The Sreebhumi Sporting Club constructed a massive 70-foot iron statue of Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, celebrating his historic 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina. West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose revealed the monumental structure was completed in just 40 days.
Messi virtually unveiled the statue from his team hotel, stating “Muchas Gracias” (Thank you very much) during the special ceremony. The unveiling drew massive crowds, with fans waving Indian and Argentinian flags in celebration.
Star-Studded Celebrity Encounters
The Kolkata leg promises spectacular moments as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate Messi, with notable guests including Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan present at Salt Lake Stadium. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan already met Messi during the statue inauguration, greeting the footballer with a warm smile.
Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul accompanied Messi on the Indian tour, adding extra excitement for football fans eager to see multiple legends in action.
Mumbai’s Padel Cup: Cricket Meets Football
In Mumbai, Messi is expected to donate World Cup memorabilia from Argentina’s 2022 triumph to a charity auction. The Mumbai leg features the Padel GOAT Cup at 3:30 PM, with rumors suggesting appearances by Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Messi, alongside Suarez and De Paul, will also walk the ramp for a charitable cause.
Delhi Finale: Meeting the Prime Minister
The Argentine legend will wrap up his India tour in Delhi, starting with a meeting with Prime Minister at his residence, followed by a ceremony where Messi will felicitate India’s Minerva Academy youth team, which swept three major European titles earlier this year.
How to Watch and Buy Tickets
Live Streaming Options:
- Prasar Bharati YouTube channel
- Waves OTT app
- DD Sports TV channel (live telecast)
Ticket Booking: Purchase through District ticketing platform, with prices ranging from ₹2,250 (Hyderabad) to ₹7,080 (Mumbai).
For more football updates and sports coverage, visit TechnoSports.
What Makes This Tour Special?
Tour organizer Satadru Dutta explained the significance: “There’s a great atmosphere of joy that Messi is coming to India after 14 years. Football’s connection to India is growing again. Never before have so many sponsors come to Indian football.”
Messi expressed his excitement stating, “It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago – the fans were fantastic”.
The tour combines Argentine-Indian fusion food festivals, cultural celebrations, and competitive matches designed to inspire young talent while honoring the greatest player of all time.
Check out our comprehensive sports coverage at TechnoSports for live updates throughout the GOAT Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can I watch Messi’s GOAT Tour if I couldn’t get tickets?
Select events from the GOAT India Tour 2025 will be available on live streaming through the Prasar Bharati YouTube channel and Waves OTT app. Additionally, DD Sports TV channel will provide live telecast coverage of the events. While not all activities may be broadcast (such as private meet-and-greets), the main stadium events including the 7v7 matches and cultural programs will be accessible to fans nationwide who couldn’t secure tickets to the sold-out venues.
Q2: Is this Messi’s first visit to India?
No, this marks Messi’s second visit to India. His previous trip was in 2011 when he played a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. After a 14-year gap, he returns as a World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. The GOAT Tour 2025 is significantly larger in scope, covering four cities compared to his single-city visit in 2011, reflecting the massive growth of football’s popularity in India.
