Indian football fans are set for a once-in-a-lifetime moment this December, Lionel Messi, the global football icon and 2022 World Cup champion, will visit India from December 13 to 15, 2025. According to a report by The Times of India, Messi will participate in a series of special events in Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, including a ticketed event at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on December 14. The visit will honor his unparalleled football career and strengthen the growing football culture in India.
Mumbai to Host Messi at Iconic Wankhede Stadium
Messi will appear at a high-profile event at Wankhede Stadium, best known as the venue of India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup win. Event organizers Wizcraft have received official permission from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to host the event, which will be open to the public via ticket sales.
A source from the MCA confirmed the development. “Yes, Messi is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14. The organizers have received permission after review by the Apex Council,” the official told TOI. The event may also feature appearances from superstar Indian cricketers, adding to its glamour and cross-sport appeal.
Kerala Prepares for Friendly Match Featuring Messi
Before visiting Mumbai, Messi is also expected to lead the Argentina national team in a friendly match at Kerala’s Greenfield International Stadium in October or November. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced the news earlier in June. The Kerala government will host the team as official guests and extend full support to make the match a memorable occasion.
Kolkata and Delhi to Celebrate Messi’s Football Legacy
In Kolkata, Messi will be felicitated at Eden Gardens, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee likely to attend. His schedule includes a football workshop for children, a clinic launch, and a seven-a-side “GOAT Cup” tournament held in his honor. He will also visit Delhi, though specific details of that leg of the trip remain under wraps.
Messi’s Legacy: Records, Awards, and a Global Impact
Messi’s football career remains legendary. Currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, he has:
8 Ballon d’Or awards
6 European Golden Shoes
45 team trophies
870+ career goals
380+ assists
He famously led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory. His records include:
Most goals in a calendar year (91)
Most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona)
Most La Liga goals (474)
Most World Cup goal contributions (21)
Most goals in Copa América (32)
Messi last visited India in September 2011, when he played a friendly against Venezuela in Kolkata.
A Football Celebration India Has Been Waiting For
This December, India will witness a celebration of football’s finest, with Messi’s appearances across Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi, and a possible friendly match in Kerala, fans will experience his greatness up close and the visit underlines India’s growing significance in global football culture, making December 2025 a historic month for the sport in the country.
