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Lionel Messi

Kolkata, December 13, 2025 – Football legend Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata in the early hours today, launching his highly anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, touched down at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 2:26 AM to thousands of ecstatic fans braving the winter chill.

This marks Messi’s first visit to India since 2011, when he captained Argentina to a 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium.

Statue Unveiling And Celebrity Encounters

A highlight of the day was Messi’s virtual unveiling of a massive 70-foot iron statue of himself at Lake Town’s Sreebhumi Sporting Club.

Depicting the Argentine lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy, the structure, crafted by sculptor Monti Pal, is claimed to be the world’s tallest monument to Messi.

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his son AbRam, joined the event at Salt Lake Stadium, sharing warm moments with Messi that quickly went viral.

Chaos At Salt Lake Stadium

Excitement turned to frustration at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium (Yuva Bharati Krirangan).

Fans who paid premium ticket prices (starting at ₹4,366) for a promised interaction, lap of honour, and possible exhibition elements saw Messi appear only briefly, around 10-20 minutes, before security concerns forced an early exit.

Angry supporters threw bottles, broke chairs, and vandalised parts of the venue, chanting demands for refunds.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later apologised for the mismanagement.

Organiser Satadru Dutta, who has previously brought legends like Pelé and Maradona to India, described the tour as a boost for Indian football, citing unprecedented sponsorship interest.

What Is Next For The Tour

Messi departed Kolkata for Hyderabad this afternoon, where a 7v7 exhibition match awaits at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

The tour continues to Mumbai (December 14) and concludes in New Delhi (December 15), potentially with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While the Kolkata leg showcased India’s passionate football fandom and cultural crossovers, it also highlighted organisational challenges in hosting global superstars.