Football icon Lionel Messi’s long-awaited return to India has been officially confirmed, with the Argentine football icon set to embark on his “GOAT Tour of India 2025” from December 12. The tour will begin in Kolkata and continue through Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, combining football festivities, celebrity appearances, and cultural celebrations before concluding with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15.
Event promoter Satadru Dutta announced on Friday that Messi’s visit will mark his first trip to India since 2011, when he played a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. This time, the Ballon d’Or winner’s journey will be much more expansive, featuring masterclasses for children in each city, unique cultural experiences, and star-studded events. Dutta revealed that Messi is expected to post the official tour poster on his social media between August 28 and September 1.
Messi will arrive in Kolkata late on December 12, spending his longest leg of the trip there with a packed schedule the following day. Highlights include a meet-and-greet event at the Taj Bengal hotel featuring a fusion of Argentine mate and Indian Assam tea, a Bengali food festival with hilsa and local sweets, and the unveiling of the largest statue ever made of him. A massive 25-by-20-foot mural, painted and signed by fans during Durga Puja, will also be presented to him during the “GOAT Concert” at either Eden Gardens or Salt Lake Stadium.
The day will conclude with the “GOAT Cup,” a celebratory seven-a-side football match where Messi is set to share the pitch with Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to felicitate him, while security will be handled under strict protocols agreed upon with Kolkata Police.
The Argentina star's huge meet-up with celebrities
On the evening of December 13, Messi will head to Ahmedabad for a private Adani Foundation event. The Mumbai stop on December 14 will feature a meet-and-greet at CCI Brabourne, followed by a “GOAT Concert” and “GOAT Cup” at Wankhede Stadium. A unique addition in Mumbai will be the “Padel GOAT Cup,” where Messi will play the racket sport with celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan and Leander Paes, possibly alongside cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma. Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan, and Tiger Shroff are also expected to join the celebrations.
The final leg in New Delhi on December 15 will see Messi meeting Prime Minister Modi before participating in the “GOAT Concert” and “GOAT Cup” at Feroz Shah Kotla. The Delhi District Cricket Association is reportedly inviting Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, a self-proclaimed Messi fan, to the event, adding another layer of star power to the finale.
With football, culture, celebrity appearances, and a personal connection to fans across India, Messi’s GOAT Tour promises to be one of the country’s most celebrated sporting events of the year, blending the magic of the beautiful game with India’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
