Get ready, football fanatics! Lionel Messi, the undisputed GOAT, is heading to India in 2025 for a tour that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. This isn't just a visit; it's a celebration of a legend, bringing the magic of Messi to the heart of India.
The GOAT India Tour 2025 kicks off on December 13th in Kolkata and wraps up on December 15th in New Delhi, hitting up major cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai along the way. This tour is a blend of public appearances, cultural events, and, of course, some thrilling celebrity football exhibitions.
Messi will be joined by his long-time teammate Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, a key player from Argentina's victorious FIFA World Cup 2022 team. Expect to see them at various events, including meet-and-greets and special matches.
Kolkata, the first stop, will be buzzing with excitement. Messi will be virtually unveiling a 70-foot statue at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club. The iconic Salt Lake Stadium, where Messi played in 2011, will also host concerts and special events.
Next up is Hyderabad, where Messi will grace the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Mumbai welcomes Messi on December 14th for the Padel GOAT Cup at Brabourne Stadium, followed by a celebrity football match. The city will also host a charity fashion show and an auction of Argentina's 2022 World Cup memorabilia.
Finally, New Delhi will be the last stop on December 15th, with events at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
But here's where it gets controversial... What if this tour is just the beginning of a bigger push for football in India?
Here's the schedule:
- December 13, Kolkata:
- Arrival in Kolkata at 1:30 AM.
- Meet-and-greet program from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Virtual inauguration of Messi’s statue from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM.
- Arrival at Yuva Bharati from 11:15 AM to 11:25 AM.
- Shah Rukh Khan arrives at Yuva Bharati at 11:30 AM.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly arrive at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) at 12:00 PM.
- Friendly match, felicitation, and interaction from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM.
- Departure for Hyderabad at 2:00 PM.
- December 13, Hyderabad:
- 7v7 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium featuring Lionel Messi, followed by a musical concert at 7:00 PM.
- December 14, Mumbai:
- Participation in the Padel Cup at the Cricket Club of India at 3:30 PM.
- Celebrity football match at 4:00 PM.
- Event at Wankhede Stadium, followed by a charity fashion show at 5:00 PM.
- December 15, New Delhi:
- Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Event at Arun Jaitley Stadium, including the felicitation of Minerva Academy players at 1:30 PM.
Where to snag those tickets? Tickets are available online through the District ticketing platform. Prices vary by city, with Kolkata tickets starting at ₹4,366, Hyderabad at ₹2,250, Mumbai at ₹7,080, and New Delhi at ₹4,720.
And this is the part most people miss... How can you watch this historic event? Select events will be live-streamed on the Prasar Bharati YouTube channel and the Waves OTT app. You can also catch the live telecast on the DD Sports TV channel.
What do you think? Will this tour ignite a football frenzy in India? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
