Kolkata, December 13, 2025 – Argentine football icon Lionel Messi touched down in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday, kicking off his highly anticipated three-day GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour 2025 to a rapturous welcome from thousands of passionate fans.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, fresh off leading Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title and earning his second consecutive MLS MVP award, arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 2:26 a.m., accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Despite the late hour and chilly December weather, fans thronged the airport gates, chanting his name, waving Argentine flags, and lining the roads to his hotel in scenes of unbridled excitement.
This marks Messi's second visit to India and his first to Kolkata in 14 years, since captaining Argentina to a 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in 2011.
The Kolkata leg of the tour began with a packed schedule. Messi participated in a sponsors' meet-and-greet session before virtually unveiling a massive 70-foot statue of himself – depicting him lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy – at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. The ceremony, attended by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose, added a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
Later, Messi arrived at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium amid roaring cheers for a tribute program featuring music, dance, an exhibition friendly match between Mohun Bagan 'Messi' All Stars and Diamond Harbour 'Messi' All Stars, and interactions with local teams. He also conducted a "Master Class" for young children and was felicitated alongside dignitaries, including former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
However, the event was marred by some chaos, with reports of fan frustration leading to bottles being thrown and Messi departing earlier than planned for security reasons. Organizers and authorities are reviewing the incident as the tour proceeds.
Messi is scheduled to depart for Hyderabad later today, where he will attend an evening program at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, including a short exhibition match and football clinic. The tour continues to Mumbai on December 14 and concludes in New Delhi on December 15, with a potential meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Messi expressed his excitement: "India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago – the fans were fantastic. I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game."
The GOAT India Tour 2025 has ignited football fever across the nation, highlighting India's growing passion for the sport and Messi's enduring global appeal.