Key Points
- Messi arrived from Miami via Dubai for three-day India tour from December 13 to 15, 2025
- 70-foot statue unveiling at Yuva Bharati Krirangan with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sourav Ganguly
- Salt Lake Stadium friendly match with 78,000 capacity, tickets priced up to ₹7,000
- Hyderabad exhibition match with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, evening musical concert, Rahul Gandhi expected to attend
- Mumbai events include CCI Paddle Cup, celebrity match at Wankhede Stadium, charity fashion show, Spanish music performance
- Delhi finale includes meeting with PM Narendra Modi at Arun Jaitley Stadium on December 15
- Premium fan experience packages cost ₹10 lakh for selfie opportunity, 100 seats reserved per city
- First India visit since 2011 when he captained Argentina against Venezuela in Kolkata
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in 2022, received a warm welcome at Kolkata airport despite his arrival at 1:30 AM. His meet-and-greet session began at 9:30 AM on Saturday at a city hotel, where select fans and dignitaries gathered for the first interaction. The centrepiece of his Kolkata visit is the virtual unveiling of a 70-foot-tall bronze statue commissioned by the West Bengal government and football associations.
Following the unveiling ceremony, Messi will visit the iconic Yuva Bharati Krirangan stadium, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly are expected to be present. The stadium, which holds a special place in Indian football history, will host a friendly match in which Messi is expected to play alongside local football legends and celebrities. Organisers have reserved 78,000 seats for the event at Salt Lake Stadium, with ticket prices ranging from ₹500 to ₹7,000 for premium seating.
Hyderabad: Political and Cultural Extravaganza
At 2 PM on Saturday, Messi will depart for Hyderabad on a chartered flight. He will participate in an exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will also be present. The match is expected to feature local football talent and political personalities, highlighting the state’s growing investment in sports infrastructure.
In the evening, a grand musical concert has been organised in Messi’s honour at the stadium premises. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also expected to attend this event, adding political significance to the sporting occasion. The concert will feature prominent Indian and international artists, though the lineup is being kept under wraps for security reasons.
Mumbai: Celebrity Gala and Sporting Events
On December 14th, Messi will be in Mumbai and participate in several high-profile events. His schedule includes a special session at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) for the Paddle Cup, a unique event blending football skills with cricket celebrations. This will be followed by a celebrity match at the Wankhede Stadium, where Messi will share the field with Bollywood stars, cricketers, and business tycoons.
A charity fashion show will be held in the evening at a luxury hotel, with proceeds going to child education initiatives supported by the Lionel Messi Foundation. There will also be a Spanish music performance by Suarez and De Paul in the evening, though it remains unclear if these are the footballers Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul or musical artists with similar names.
Delhi: Prime Ministerial Meeting and Tour Finale
Lionel Messi will arrive in Delhi on December 15, the final leg of his tour. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a special event held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla. The meeting is expected to focus on promoting football in India and discussing potential collaborations between Argentine football academies and Indian sports institutions.
Meet-and-greet events with Messi are being organized in all four cities. 100 seats have been reserved for fans at each event. Fans can participate in the event and take a selfie with Messi by paying Rs. 10 lakh, a premium pricing strategy that has generated both excitement and controversy on social media.
Security Arrangements and Logistics
Given Messi’s global stature and the high-profile nature of the events, unprecedented security measures have been implemented across all four cities. Each venue will have multi-layered security with NSG commandos, local police, and private security personnel. The Kolkata Police have deployed over 2,000 officers for the Salt Lake Stadium event alone, while Hyderabad and Mumbai are implementing similar measures.
Air traffic restrictions will be in place during Messi’s inter-city travel, and roads leading to venues will have controlled access. Fans are advised to arrive at venues at least three hours before scheduled events due to enhanced security screening protocols.
Historical Context and Fan Expectations
It is worth noting that Messi is visiting India after 14 years. He last visited India in 2011, when he captained Argentina in a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata, which Argentina won 1-0. That match drew over 80,000 spectators and remains one of the most memorable football events in Indian history.
Since then, Indian football has grown significantly, with the Indian Super League gaining popularity and the national team improving its FIFA rankings. Fans have been waiting outside hotels and airports across the tour cities, hoping for a glimpse of their idol. Social media platforms are flooded with #MessiInIndia posts, with fans sharing their excitement and travel plans.
