Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour of India’ Gets Final Nod: Kolkata to Delhi in Four-Star-Studded Days
Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour of India’ Gets Final Nod: Kolkata to Delhi in Four-Star-Studded Days
Inter Miami legend to meet PM Modi, play celebrity matches, and join concerts across four cities
Lionel Messi’s much-awaited ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’ has received final approval, with the Argentine football icon set to embark on a four-city visit from December 12 to 15. The tour, organised by promoter Satadru Dutta, will mark Messi’s first trip to India since 2011.
The tour will begin in Kolkata on December 12, where the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup are planned at Eden Gardens or Salt Lake Stadium. Fans will also be able to leave messages on a giant 25-foot mural of Messi during Durga Puja, which will be gifted to him at the event. A friendly 7-a-side “soft touch” match will feature Messi alongside Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia. Tickets start at ₹3,500, and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to honour him during the event.
On December 13, Messi will travel to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation. The following day in Mumbai, he will attend a meet-and-greet at the CCI Brabourne, followed by the GOAT Cup and GOAT Concert at Wankhede Stadium. A special highlight will be the Mumbai Padel GOAT Cup at CCI, where Messi will join celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan and Leander Paes for a few minutes of play. The Maharashtra Cricket Association is also planning a “GOAT Captains Moment” featuring Messi with Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and a Bollywood line-up including Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan, and Tiger Shroff.
The tour will conclude in Delhi on December 15, where Messi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before attending the GOAT Cup and GOAT Concert at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The Delhi District Cricket Association has invited Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, both known to be Messi fans, to join the celebrations.
Messi may be joined by Inter Miami teammates and friends including Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, making this one of the most high-profile sports-and-entertainment events India has ever seen.
