Lionel Messi’s India tour may have hit a brief delay, but the excitement around his visit shows no sign of slowing down. As fog disrupted his flight to Delhi, memories from his Mumbai appearance continued to dominate conversations among sports fans in the country.
The Argentine icon’s final leg of the tour is now expected later than planned, but his interactions with Indian sporting legends have already turned the visit into a landmark moment.
Messi’s Delhi Arrival Delayed Due to Weather
Messi’s arrival for the final leg of his India tour faced an unexpected hurdle on Sunday. His charter flight from Mumbai to Delhi was delayed due to heavy fog in the national capital.
The flight was scheduled to land in Delhi earlier in the morning. Poor visibility forced authorities to defer the landing. Messi is now expected to depart Mumbai shortly once conditions improve.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, where Argentine footballer Lionel Messi will be present for his G.O.A.T. Tour India 2025, tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/lQO9GQsho6
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025
Despite the delay, excitement remains high in Delhi ahead of his expected appearance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Speculation Around Messi-Virat Kohli Meeting
Rumours of a possible meeting between Lionel Messi and Virat Kohli gained momentum over the weekend. Kohli arrived in Mumbai with his wife, Anushka Sharma, on Saturday, sparking speculation of a private interaction.
After Kohli travelled to Delhi, talks intensified that the two global icons could meet during the Delhi event. As of now, there is no official confirmation of such a meeting.
Fans continue to wait, hoping for a rare moment between two of the biggest names in world sport.
Harbhajan Singh Meets Messi in Mumbai
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh shared his joy after meeting Messi during the Mumbai leg of the tour. He also met Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, along with his family.
Sharing photos on social media, Harbhajan thanked the organisers and authorities for the smooth conduct of the event.
What a day meeting with one and only G.O.A.T @leomessisite . Thank you Rony Satadaru for making it happen. Great host CCI Mumbai 🙌 & well done @MumbaiPolice 🙏🙌. Great Job done pic.twitter.com/kAZTUBQee9
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 14, 2025
“What a day meeting with one and only G.O.A.T @leomessisite . Thank you Rony Satadaru for making it happen. Great host CCI Mumbai 🙌 & well done @MumbaiPolice 🙏🙌. Great Job done,” he said on X.
Messi at CCI and Wankhede Stadium
Messi began his Mumbai schedule with a Padel event at the historic Cricket Club of India at Brabourne Stadium. Details of the session remained private, adding curiosity around the visit.
Later, Messi, along with Suarez and De Paul, headed to the Wankhede Stadium. The trio watched a 7-vs-7 exhibition football match featuring Indian players Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana, and women’s team star Bala Devi.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri also featured in the event and later interacted with Messi. Chhetri presented him with an Argentina jersey, marking a symbolic moment for Indian football fans.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Special Gesture
One of the most memorable moments of the Mumbai leg came when Sachin Tendulkar met Lionel Messi. The cricket icon presented Messi with an India jersey bearing his iconic No. 10.
The exchange brought together two legends from different sports and became one of the defining images of Messi’s India visit.
What’s Next for Messi in India?
With the Delhi leg delayed but not cancelled, fans now await confirmation of Messi’s revised schedule. His India tour has already delivered unforgettable moments, blending football, cricket, and star power.
Even with weather disruptions, Messi’s presence has left a lasting impact across cities, proving that sporting greatness speaks louder than schedules.
