Lionel Messi, the Argentine great, is all set to come to India, and for sure, this will be one of the greatest moments in Indian football history. As in the G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025, scheduled from December 13 to 15, Messi will visit four major venues in India. Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. This will be Messi’s first visit to India since 2011. From eating Indian foods to attending star-studded fashion events, Messi is all set to bring enormous energy to the ground.
Messi will be accompanied by his long-time strike partner, Luis Suarez and midfield engine Rodrigo De Paul, as many large-scale events are lined up, the tour promises to be a once-in-a-generation spectacle.
Kolkata Leg: Statue unveiling goes Virtual
Messi will first visit Kolkata, and in his Kolkata leg, there will be an unveiling of his biggest-ever statue, a towering 70-foot structure. However, due to security restrictions, Kolkata Police has instructed the event management that the inauguration to be done virtually from his hotel on the EM Bypass. Messi is expected to land in the city at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a sponsor-exclusive meet-and-greet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
ALSO READ I Messi in the morning, Ronaldo at night: Double feature for fans in World Cup action
The other events will include an Argentine–Indian fusion food festival, and in the main focus, there will be an Argentine herbal tea blended with Assam flavours. It is reported that for lunch, the menu will consist of Bengali fish dishes such as hilsa and traditional sweets.
A massive 25 ft × 20 ft Messi mural, intended for the upcoming Durga Puja season, will also be unveiled. The mural will later be displayed at major pandal locations for fans to paint and leave messages, and will eventually be presented to Messi at Salt Lake Stadium, where over 70,000 spectators are expected.
Hyderabad added after Kochi cancellation
Before Hyderabad, Kochi was selected for the friendly match and due to the cancellation of a planned friendly match in Kochi, Hyderabad has been added to complete the tour’s pan-India coverage. Messi will attend the Hyderabad GOAT Cup at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, featuring a celebrity 7v7 match, youth masterclasses, penalty shootouts, and a musical tribute.
Star-studded fashion show in Mumbai
The sole promoter of the event, Satadru Dutta, has now confirmed that Messi will participate in a 45-minute star-studded fashion segment on December 14 in Mumbai, where Luis Suarez and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul will join him for the event. The exclusive event will feature top celebrity models, cricketers, and Bollywood stars, including Tiger Shroff, Jackie Shroff and John Abraham. Suarez is also slated to appear in a Spanish music performance.
ALSO READ I 'Ultimate prize': Messi lifts Inter Miami's first MLS Cup, earns MVP
As per Sportstar, the organisers have requested that Messi bring specific memorabilia from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, which will be auctioned during the Mumbai event. The evening program at Wankhede Stadium will start at 5 p.m., and the Padel Cup is slate on 3:30 p.m. at the Cricket Club of India.
Final leg in Delhi and meeting with the Prime Minister
The tour will conclude in New Delhi, where Messi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event will also honour Minerva Academy’s youth team, which won multiple European titles this year.
