Saturday 13 / December / 2025
Argentina soccer superstar Lionel Messi arrived Saturday in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, as large crowds of jubilant fans gathered at the airport and lined the streets in the city to welcome him.
Indian news agency ANI said the soccer player, considered the greatest of his generation, was escorted out of the airport via an alternative route because an overwhelming number of people turned out at the airport to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi is visiting India as part of what's billed as his "GOAT (greatest of all time) Tour" and he is set to tour four cities in total: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Messi visited Kolkata, the former capital of British-ruled India, for the first time in 2011.
This time, the soccer-mad city built a 70-foot-tall statue to mark his visit. The statue is set to be inaugurated Saturday, and Messi is scheduled to participate in an inauguration ceremony.
Messi, who just won Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player award for the second season in a row after leading Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory, is scheduled to visit Hyderabad and Mumbai before concluding the tour in New Delhi on Monday.
In Delhi, Messi is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 2022 World Cup winner is set to cover India in less than 72 hours.
Messi is accompanied on the tour by his Inter Miami clubmates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul.
A fan of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi said to ANI, "We have been waiting for two hours. If needed, we will wait for even four hours. We can't miss this one in a lifetime opportunity."
Another fan said, "I am very excited. It is a dream come true. Truly magical. If God wants, I will definitely be able to meet him."
Another Messi fan said, "We are very excited. He's a magician, the GOAT (greatest of all time)... We are here to catch just a glimpse of him... Love you, Messi."
Legendary footballer Lionel Messi is visiting India in December 2025 as part of his highly anticipated "GOAT India Tour," marking his first visit since 2011, sparking immense excitement among fans.
Messi's GOAT Tour will begin from Kolkata. The Argentine legend will have an extensive line-up of engagements in the city throughout the day before leaving for Hyderabad.
Following his engagements in Hyderabad, Messi will travel to Mumbai and then to Delhi. The GOAT India Tour 2025 is designed as a pan-India celebration, beginning in the East (Kolkata) and South (Hyderabad) on December 13, continuing to the West (Mumbai) on December 14, and concluding in the North (Delhi) on December 15
