Football fans in India witnessed a landmark moment on Saturday as Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata, marking the start of the much-anticipated GOAT Tour India 2025.
The Argentine great touched down at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Their arrival drew widespread excitement among supporters.
Messi recently guided Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer title, the 48th trophy of his illustrious career, and arrives in India on the back of this milestone. While much of the spotlight rests on Messi, his companions Suárez and De Paul, both global stars and key figures for club and country, have also added to the buzz surrounding the tour.
Messi begins his tightly scheduled three-day visit to India in Kolkata, travelling across four destinations between December 13 and 15. Messi will reach Salt Lake Stadium by late morning and leave for Hyderabad later in the day.
During his stay, Messi will digitally unveil a towering 70-foot statue celebrating his contribution to football. Authorities have installed the monument near the clock tower in Sribhumi, Lake Town. They expect it to become a landmark for football enthusiasts.
Beyond football, the Argentine icon’s itinerary includes meetings with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Messi is also expected to meet Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently in the city.
For Messi, Kolkata holds special memories. His last appearance in the city dates back to 2011, when he led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly. His return after more than a decade has reignited the city’s deep-rooted passion for the beautiful game.
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