Lionel Messi’s India Visit 2025: Full Tour Highlights, Cities, and Events

• Football legend Lionel Messi made headlines with his three-day GOAT Tour of India 2025, marking his first visit to the country since 2011. The tour spanned four major cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi — and blended sport, culture, and celebrity moments.

🗓 Tour Schedule & Cities

• December 13 – Kolkata
  • Messi kicked off the tour at Salt Lake Stadium with the GOAT Cup exhibition match.
  • A youth football clinic and live concert followed.
  • However, the event ended in chaos as Messi left after just 10 minutes, sparking fan outrage and stadium vandalism.
• December 14 – Hyderabad & Mumbai
  • In Hyderabad, Messi made a brief appearance at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
  • Later in Mumbai, he attended the Padel GOAT Cup at Brabourne Stadium, joined by celebrities including MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and Shah Rukh Khan.

• December 15 – New Delhi
  • Messi concluded his tour with a private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing sports diplomacy and youth engagement.

🌟 Key Highlights

• Messi was accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, adding star power to the tour.
• The tour was streamed live on SonyLiv, with ticket prices starting at ₹4,000.
• Despite fan disappointment in Kolkata, the Mumbai and Delhi events were well received.

📸 Image Feature

The image above captures Messi in action during his India tour, symbolizing the excitement and global attention the visit generated.

✨ Conclusion

Lionel Messi’s 2025 visit to India was a blend of football, fandom, and diplomacy. While the Kolkata leg faced backlash, the overall tour reinforced Messi’s global appeal and India’s growing stature in international sports culture.

Sources: