Chhetri stood tall in the middle of the pitch. The Indian football icon shook hands with Lionel Messi. The moment captured the spirit of a historic evening in Mumbai. Football fans watched in awe as India’s biggest name met the world’s greatest player. The exhibition match at a packed Wankhede Stadium turned into a celebration of football, fandom, and global connection.
Chhetri Meets Messi: A Special Indian Moment
Sunil Chhetri featured in the exhibition match alongside Indian players Rahul Bheke and others. As they entered the field, they greeted Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul. Chhetri shared a brief chat with the trio. Cameras flashed. Fans roared. The handshake became one of the most talked-about moments of Messi’s India visit.
Sunil Chhetri – The GOAT of Indian football ⚽️💪#MessiInIndia pic.twitter.com/k8P2hUoqvX
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) December 14, 2025
Before the exhibition match, Messi and Suárez joined young children on the field. They passed the ball around and showed simple football tricks. The kids smiled. The stands erupted in cheers. Messi also waved to fans and acknowledged their support. The session highlighted the lighter side of the football superstar and underlined the tour’s community focus.
Mumbai Leg of Messi’s India Tour
Lionel Messi landed in Mumbai on Sunday at noon. It marked his third stop in a four-city tour of India. The Mumbai leg included a philanthropic fashion showcase. Messi also visited the Cricket Club of India. The city offered a smooth and festive atmosphere, with fans filling the stadium and cheering throughout the event.
Messi, Suárez, and De Paul posed for group photos with children who took part in the playing session. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis joined them on the field. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey was also present. The photos quickly went viral and added to the buzz around the event.
A Tour of Highs and Lows
The India tour began on a troubled note. Messi’s short appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata lasted only 22 minutes. Poor planning and crowd control led to chaos. Angry fans protested after failing to see the Argentine star. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later apologised to Messi and criticised the mismanagement. Tour organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested at the airport soon after.
The Hyderabad leg told a different story. Messi received a warm welcome at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. He played in a 7-on-7 exhibition match. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also took part. Messi met Rahul Gandhi and interacted with fans. The event ran smoothly and restored confidence in the tour’s execution.
Why the Mumbai Event Stood Out
Mumbai combined star power with structure. Fans enjoyed football without chaos. Players interacted freely. Kids shared the pitch with legends. Chhetri’s presence added an Indian touch to the global spectacle. The crowd stayed loud but controlled, creating a festival-like environment.
Messi’s visit has boosted interest in football across India. Stadiums filled up. Social media buzzed nonstop. Young fans found new inspiration. For Indian football, moments like Chhetri meeting Messi matter. They bridge worlds and fuel dreams.
