India woke up to a special moment as football icon Lionel Messi began his much-awaited visit to the country. After 14 years, the World Cup winner returned to Indian soil, starting a multi-city tour designed to celebrate his legendary career.
The visit marks the launch of the ‘GOAT Tour’, a nationwide celebration that blends football, culture, and entertainment. The tour started in Kolkata, a city known for its deep love for the game.
Fans lined up through the night as Messi landed in the early hours, setting the tone for a day packed with high-profile events.
Messi Meets Shah Rukh Khan and Indian Icons
One of the most talked-about moments of the day came when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met Lionel Messi in Kolkata. The meeting brought together two global icons from sport and cinema.
VIDEO | Kolkata: Football icon Lionel Messi to virtually unveil his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake stadium, with West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan present at the event.#LionelMessi #Kolkata #Football
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/dqISIwMgl4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
Shah Rukh Khan arrived with his family and greeted Messi warmly. Photos and videos from the interaction quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Salt Lake Stadium Events Draw Huge Crowd
At the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, Messi attended several football-related events. He took part in a meet-and-greet session and interacted with young Indian footballers.
The stadium also hosted a special match between Mohun Bagan All-Stars and Diamond Harbour All-Stars. Players wore jerseys featuring Messi’s name and the number 10, celebrating his influence on the sport.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | An ecstatic fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, “I have loved Messi since 2007… ‘Mohabbat hai’… In 2026, we will get the World Cup again. Argentina will be the champion…” https://t.co/nRenVILv6i pic.twitter.com/daea8mtIbS
— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2025
Messi later joined a football masterclass session with young players. The event aimed to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers.
During his interaction, Messi spoke through an interpreter and said he was happy to be in India. His smile said it all.
Messi Unveils his 70-Foot Statue in Kolkata
A highlight of Messi’s India tour came early in Kolkata with the unveiling of a monumental statue of the football great. Messi’s team carried out a virtual unveiling of the 70-foot sculpture that shows him holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. The statue now stands in Lake Town as a tribute to his global influence and spectacular career.
🚨 Lionel Messi will arrive in India 🇮🇳 today to unveil a 21-meter (70 foot) statue of himself 🗽👀 pic.twitter.com/3EPAHizwOX
— 433 (@433) December 12, 2025
West Bengal officials said Messi was “happy” with the massive tribute and that it may be the tallest statue of him in the world. The sculpture was completed just ahead of his arrival and reflects the deep excitement around his visit.
Why Kolkata Was Chosen for Messi’s First Stop
Kolkata holds a special place in Indian football history. The city has long embraced global football stars and iconic matches. That legacy made it the natural choice to open Messi’s India tour.
One of the biggest highlights in the city was the unveiling of a massive 70-foot statue of Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. The statue honours his career and his 2022 World Cup triumph.
The unveiling happened virtually and drew massive attention online.
What Is Messi’s Day 1 Schedule in India?
Messi landed in Kolkata around 2:30 AM and went straight to his hotel. He began the day with a closed-door sponsor meeting.
He then attended the statue unveiling and moved to Salt Lake Stadium before noon. After completing his Kolkata engagements, Messi boarded a flight to Hyderabad.
The second half of Day 1 took Messi to Hyderabad. The city hosted the ‘GOAT Concert’ at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The concert combined music, visuals, and tributes to Messi’s career. Fans from across India attended the event, making it one of the biggest celebrations of an athlete ever held in the country.
Messi’s India visit will continue across multiple cities over the next few days. The tour will include fan events, cultural programs, and football-related activities.
For Indian fans, the visit is more than a celebration. It is a once-in-a-generation moment.
