The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour concludes on Monday in New Delhi, where the Argentine football legend is expected to attend a string of high-profile events: a stadium engagement and a likely meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to details shared by event organizers and reports compiled by sports media outlets like My Khel, Messi, who came to India with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul earlier this weekend, has already completed tour events in Hyderabad and Mumbai. The Delhi leg marks the final chapter of the multi-city tour.
All timings are subject to last-minute changes due to security and logistical considerations.
Morning: Arrival to the capital
He is expected to reach New Delhi from Mumbai by a charter flight on Monday morning.
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM:
The Argentina captain is scheduled to arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and will head straight to a five-star hotel in central Delhi. A quiet arrival is planned by the organisers to avoid the scramble seen at previous cities. A brief interaction with selected media and tour officials could be in the offing at the hotel.
Afternoon: Diplomatic engagement and stadium programme
The day will include a possible meeting with the Prime Minister, although timings may shift to accommodate security protocols, according to officials.
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM:
He is likely to meet Modi in a brief closed-door meeting at the residence of the Prime Minister, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The two could discuss sports diplomacy, youth development and global football outreach, organisers have said. No public interaction is expected.
Arun Jaitley Stadium event
Arun Jaitley Stadium will have the main public-facing programme of the day.
11:30 AM:
Stadium gates will open for ticket holders. Tickets that were priced between ₹4,720 and ₹5,900 were reported to be sold out before the event.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM:
Pre-show programming, which includes musical performances and video tributes to Messi's career, formally opens the event.
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM:
Welcome ceremony upon Messi's entry into the stadium amidst greeting fans.
Exhibition match and youth engagement
2:50 PM – 3:30 PM:
The programme includes a celebrity exhibition football match between Indian sportspersons and personalities. Messi is expected to make a short-time appearance in that match, demonstrating his skills and joining the players briefly. Cricket personalities are reported to take part, though organisers have not confirmed the names.
3:45 PM – 4:20 PM:
Messi will hold a football clinic with select youth players from Indian academies, covering under-14 and under-15 teams. The segment on basic technique and match awareness is followed by a short exhibition.
Felicitation and departure
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM:
The programme will conclude with a felicitation ceremony for Messi’s contribution to world football. A ceremonial presentation followed by the closing address is scheduled.
Messi is expected to leave later in the evening for the airport, thus bringing down the curtains on Messi's India tour.
Also Read | From one legend to another, Sachin Tendulkar presents his signed number 10 jersey to Messi
A high-profile end to the India Tour
The Delhi event follows packed appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai and comes amid heightened scrutiny after crowd management issues during earlier stop at Kolkata. Organisers have said additional security measures are in place for the capital programme.
No other public events with Messi in India were announced.
