Arrival & Itinerary
Lionel Messi, considered by many as the greatest football player of all time, made his highly publicized return to India on December 2025, just shy of 14 years from his original visit in 2011. This return to India was not just for him to play in a football match. It was the kickoff for the GOAT India Tour 2025, which included a busy schedule of stops in multiple Indian cities. The GOAT India Tour allowed fans to experience up close meet and greet with the legendary Lionel Messi , sparked controversies, and intertwined sports with a variety of cultural and natural wildlife experiences common to India.
Messi started his tour of India on 12th December 2013 and returned to Kolkata on 13th December, which was the last time Messi visited Kolkata as a player. After his time in Kolkata, the next stops on the itinerary are as follows:
* Kolkata
* Hyderabad
* Mumbai
* New Delhi
The tour will consist of many activities such as concerts, meet and greets, and soccer master classes along with some special activities arranged in the capital as well.
When Messi arrives in New Delhi he is expected to meet various dignitaries including top athletes, sporting status and judges, however, the Prime Minister of India is not expected to attend this public event.
Kolkata – A Chaotic Start
The event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to open the Tour was to be a historic celebration of soccer and show off the buried love between football players and their supporters. However, due to issues with crowd management, security and other problems, the opening event devolved into chaos:
At least” thousands of fans were expected to come out to the event at Salt Lake Stadium.
Messi and his fellow players Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul arrived at Salt Lake Stadium but were there for only a short time.The congested crowd made it difficult for many fans to see Messi clearly.
Many fans attending the event were disappointed because of how briefly Messi showed up and that he did not perform any special activities
Hyderabad & Mumbai – Fan Fest and Sports Crossovers
The journey of Lionel Messi tour had progressed on a more positive note since London; after Kolkata, both Hyderabad and Mumbai were exceptional stops with successful media and fan interaction. In Hyderabad, Messi received positive feedback from many fans and local officials. Conversely, in Mumbai, large crowds greeted the soccer superstar at the historic Wankhede Stadium.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was also on hand to offer his admiration and respect to Messi for his work ethic and level of humility. The atmosphere was electric in Mumbai with thousands of fans at the stadium; there were many opportunities to interact with Messi through pre-event events and ongoing fan chanting around the venue, which was demonstrated how popular Messi was within many sports communities throughout India.
Delhi – Culture Meets Sport
In New Delhi, Lionel Messi tour took on a unique blend of events:
Highly secure, exclusive engagements were arranged with major Indian athletes and cultural figures.
Phones were restricted during many of the appearances to protect privacy and security.
Traffic restrictions were put in place around key event areas to manage crowds and avoid logistical issues seen earlier in the tour.
A Surprise Visit: Vantara Wildlife Centre
Following his public tour, Messi visited the Vantara Wildlife Conservation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat for a private viewing.
While in Jamnagar, Lionel Messi was hosted by Indian entrepreneur Anant Ambani, who arranged for him to participate in a traditional pooja ceremony that combined Argentine celebrity with Indian custom.
In an adorable touch, a lion cub was named “Lionel” in honour of Messi at the wildlife conservation centre, which thrilled fans both online and offline.
Lionel Messi Reactions: Joy, Disappointment & Legacy
Some fans enjoyed the high energy from the Mumbai Event and were impressed by Messi’s Humility.
Source: All-Football – Reddit.
On the contrary, others felt disappointed with the organization of the Kolkata Event and protested by requesting refunds. Some even called for the West Bengal Sports Minister to resign because of the negativity surrounding the event.
Source: The Economic Times
People discussed being proud that India hosted Lionel Messi and criticized the organization of several of the events during the tour.
Source: All-Football – Reddit
Lionel Messi s India Tour Experience — Despite the ups and downs — showed how far India has come in its acceptance of a Global Football Culture. The passionate nature of the Indian Football Fan Base continues to shine brightly.
In conclusion,
Lionel Messi travelled through India as more than just a tourist — He combined sport and culture. He brought together fame and fanaticism through his tireless work ethic and drew attention to grassroots sport in India; He created a moment that was both celebrated and chaotic but ultimately made a lasting impact on Indian sporting history. Whether you view it as historic or flawed, memorable or problematic, the visit by Messi in India would be a talking point for generations to come
Author: rishin