Messi to Embark on a Multi-City Indian Tour, Detailed Stops Disclosed
Football legend Lionel Messi is set to visit India for the first time since 2011, as part of the 'GOAT Tour of India 2025'. The four-city tour, scheduled from December 12 to December 15, 2025, will see Messi grace the cities of Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi [1][2][3][4].
The Itinerary
The detailed itinerary for the tour is as follows:
- December 12 (Kolkata): Messi is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata at 10 PM, marking the longest stop on his tour with a stay of two days and one night [1][3][4].
- December 13 (Kolkata):
- A morning meet-and-greet event is planned.
- A 70-foot statue of Messi will be unveiled at Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road.
- A 25-foot mural featuring fan art from Durga Puja will be presented.
- Messi will participate in the GOAT Concert and the GOAT Cup, a seven-a-side football match, at either Eden Gardens or Salt Lake Stadium. Notable Indian sports and entertainment personalities such as Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia are expected to share the field with Messi [1][4].
- December 14 (Ahmedabad & Mumbai):
- In Ahmedabad, Messi will attend a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation.
- He will then move to Mumbai for a meet-and-greet session at CCI Brabourne and participate in the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Wankhede Stadium.
- Messi will also play padel, a sport he enjoys, alongside celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Leander Paes [4].
- December 15 (New Delhi):
- A scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.
- Followed by participation in the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium at 2:15 PM [2][3][4].
The tour will feature unique cultural elements, such as an Argentine mate and Indian Assam tea festival during the Kolkata leg [4]. While official announcements from Messi's side are yet to be made, all major arrangements, including stadium bookings, are finalized [1][3].
A Global Icon's Connection with India
This comprehensive four-city tour combines sporting events, cultural exchanges, and high-profile meetings, reflecting Messi's global stature and connection with India [1][4]. The discussions regarding the tour took place on February 28, 2025, and the details were reported by an Indian news agency [5].
Tickets for the tour are expected to start from Rs3,500 [6]. This visit marks Messi's first appearance in India since 2011, and it promises to be an exciting event for football fans across the country.
[1] PTI [2] The Indian Express [3] NDTV [4] The Times of India [5] Business Standard [6] Hindustan Times
- The GOAT Tour of India 2025 will not only include sporting events but also cultural exchanges, as a 25-foot mural featuring fan art and an Argentine mate and Indian Assam tea festival are planned during the Kolkata leg [4].
- Messi's visit to India will also involve high-profile meetings, such as a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi [2].
- As a global icon, Messi's four-city tour of India in December 2025 will encompass more than just sports, such as entertainment, news, and business, as he interacts with Indian sports personalities, celebrities, and political figures [1][4].
