Lionel Messi, the football wizard, is landing in the city in two days, just before Santa Claus’s arrival. The excitement among the fans is surreal, and now, as the time approaches, the preparation and management of the event is taking its pace. For Messi fans, it is one of the lifetime opportunities to get a glimpse of their god. They are ready to give whatever money is needed for the ticket. No matter how much money is spent to get a ticket, they don't care! And why not! Millions of people in the country enjoy Messi's games night after night. Lionel Messi is set to return to the heart of football in Bengal after 14 years. The football fans of Bengal will join the G.O.A.T. India tour from a variety of corners of Bengal. As they might not be able to see their favourite Lionel Messi again in the field, there is no confirmation on Messi’s future.
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Kolkata is gearing up for the showdown, and for that, the work on a 70 ft statue is going full swing. Messi is surely going to be amazed by the grand welcome, and the event managers are also putting in all their hard work to make it a grand welcome for Messi.
A huge 70-foot statue of Messi will be unveiled
There are plenty of surprises waiting for Messi; this tour schedule has a special surprise for Messi, as a huge 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi has been installed in Laketown on Kolkata's VIP Road under the supervision of Minister Sujit Basu. Messi was scheduled to inaugurate his statue on the 13th. However, he will likely do so virtually from his hotel due to security concerns. Sources indicate that there are current security issues surrounding Messi's visit, prompting him to conduct the inauguration online instead of attending in person. The statue will be inaugurated on the morning of December 13. The 70 ft statue will be the largest Messi statue in the world. According to sources, the statue can get a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Other events
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.
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.
Revisiting Messi’s 2011 visit to Kolkata
It was 2011 when Messi last visited Kolkata to play an international friendly against Venezuela. Back that time, Messi had Beef, chicken, potatoes, cereals, cheese, cold meat, bread, pasta, grilled meat salads and other vegetables on the platter. And they had Spaghetti and fruit juice for breakfast, Beef Spaghetti, non-vegetable items and dessert for lunch.
