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SPORTS
Messi will be in India from December 13 to 15 as part of a busy trip that will visit four different locations. After leading Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer championship earlier this week—the 48th trophy of his incredible career—he arrives hot off yet another career achievement.
The much awaited GOAT Tour India 2025 kicked off as Lionel Messi's arrived at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata on Saturday.
Along with Messi, his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, who joined the Argentine legend to wow Indian supporters.
It is only fitting to recognize the contributions his two colleagues do to football amid Messi's mania in the city. In addition to being MLS stars for Miami, Suarez and De Paul are world-renowned figures in the sport.
Messi will be in India from December 13 to 15 as part of a busy trip that will visit four different locations. After leading Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer championship earlier this week—the 48th trophy of his incredible career—he arrives hot off yet another career achievement.
The first destination on Messi's hectic schedule is Kolkata. Before leaving for Hyderabad later in the day, he is anticipated to arrive at Salt Lake Stadium at approximately 11:30 AM.
Messi will also digitally inaugurate a 70-foot statue honoring his impact on the sport that has been erected close to the clock tower in Sribhumi, Lake Town, when he is in the city. He does more than only play football in Kolkata.
Meetings with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly are planned, as is a meeting with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently in the city with his boys.
Messi views the trip as a return to familiar territory. His most recent game was in Kolkata in 2011, when he helped Argentina defeat Venezuela 1-0 in a FIFA international friendly.
Check live updates here:
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) felicitates Argentine football icon Lionel Messi at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#MessiInIndia #Hyderabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/kM235nSG1L
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi graces the field at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium and plays football with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#MessiInIndia #Hyderabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/O4DZ0OcIhC
Playfully kicks the ball to the crowd gathered in the stadium.
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi entertains fans at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, playfully kicking the ball to the crowd gathered in the stadium.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#MessiInIndia #Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/AE5kd5YWhw
VIDEO | Telangana: Hyderabad: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi interacts with Rahul Gandhi at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#MessiInIndia #Hyderabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/2w20Y2aiai
Mumbai Police is implementing stringent security measures, like not allowing water bottles, metals, coins inside the stadiums and setting up watchtowers to keep an eye on the crowd, PTI reported.
#WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: On chaos at Lionel Messi's Kolkata event, former Indian footballer and Captain, Bhaichung Bhutia says, "I think it's very unfortunate. I think the organisers did their best, but sometimes it gets out of control, especially VIP culture - it becomes… pic.twitter.com/JoSoSeYxZv
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
#WATCH | Telangana | Star footballer Lionel Messi arrives in Hyderabad. He is in India for his G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. pic.twitter.com/dNBNxJRybX
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar says, "We have already detained the main organiser. We are taking action to ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished..."
#WATCH | Kolkata: On the Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar says, "We have already detained the main organiser. We are taking action to ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished..." pic.twitter.com/fIrFefHFyu
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
Amid extreme chaos, Lionel Messi left for Kolkata airport. The security has been tightened. He will now travel to Hyderabad, with the flight scheduled to leave at 2:30 pm.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Star footballer Lionel Messi arrives at Kolkata airport. He will leave for Hyderabad as part of the G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. pic.twitter.com/m1uac3swm1
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A person got injured after chaos broke out when angry fans vandalised the Salt Lake Stadium, alleging poor management of the event.#GOATIndiaTour2025 #LionelMessi https://t.co/I0iqMUJsiQ pic.twitter.com/CoqtIhrlLQ
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
CM Mamata Banerjee took to X, formerly twitter, and said, "I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi."
I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 13, 2025
I…
Messi's visit to Salt Lake Stadium was cut short due to a security issue. Fans were upset as he stayed only for a few minutes, didn't play or take any penalties, and many couldn't see him because of heavy VIP presence. Promises made weren't fulfilled, leaving people disappointed. https://t.co/dDCSrxPFZl pic.twitter.com/zGYuw6wSWc
— First Touch (@FirstTouch31) December 13, 2025
#WATCH | Kolkata: A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, "Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi...Why did they call us then... We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face..." https://t.co/Ce4kNu8dBH pic.twitter.com/WUAOG4xc1V
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
Angry fans express their displeasure at the mismanegement of the event, slamming the organisers.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, "Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. They said they would bring… https://t.co/Ce4kNu8dBH pic.twitter.com/Rpko4UwlLW
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
MAJOR CHAOS at Salt Lake Stadium.
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) December 13, 2025
Angry fans have resorted to vandalising banners and seats after Lionel Messi was forced to stop his lap of honour due to overcrowding around him.
Fans couldn’t get a glimpse of Messi, and he remains stuck within the stadium premises amid the… pic.twitter.com/HppjfbxJt8
A video from Salt Lake Stadium is going viral where crowd can be seen throwing bottles at the ground.
Lionel Messi In #Kolkata
(@RahulSadhu009) December 13, 2025
Massive Crowd Unrest At Salt Lake Stadium As #Messi Leaves The Stadium in just 10 mins. Bottles thrown, Seats Broken #lionelmessi pic.twitter.com/BRvxp5FLwJ
LSG owner Dr Sanjiv Goenka met Lionel Messi in Kolkata. Dr Gonka took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the picture from the meting.
"#LionelMessi… the milestones, the magic, the mastery. And then you meet him and realise the humility is the real headline. An absolute privilege," Sanjiv Goenk wrote.
#LionelMessi… the milestones, the magic, the mastery. And then you meet him and realise the humility is the real headline. An absolute privilege. pic.twitter.com/NVD0OyYciT
— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) December 13, 2025
Messi has arrived at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where a friendly match and a felicitation ceremony will be organised in his honour.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Star footballer Lionel Messi arrives at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
A friendly match and a felicitation ceremony will be organised here.
(Video Source: DD Sports) pic.twitter.com/qEDk3cKH9U
Lionel Messi unveiled hi 70ft tall statue virtually.
Leo Messi’s unveiling the 70 feet statue of him in Kolkata.
(@WeAreMessi) December 13, 2025
He talks about how he’s “happy to be here” pic.twitter.com/1690fKRx1X
VIDEO | Kolkata: Football icon Lionel Messi to virtually unveil his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake stadium, with West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan present at the event.#LionelMessi #Kolkata #Football
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/dqISIwMgl4