Argentine legend Lionel Messi will lastly make his long-awaited return to India, ending a 14-year hole since his final look within the nation. His multi-city ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’ has been formally confirmed, with stops in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
However whereas followers already know the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner might be right here, there’s a lingering query: may he be bringing some very well-known buddies alongside for the journey? The names being whispered — Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets — add a layer of intrigue to what’s already set to be a historic tour.
Occasion promoter Satadru Dutta confirmed the small print on Friday, telling PTI: “I obtained the authorization and afterwards made it official [on social media]. Messi will put up any day between August 28 and September 1 with the official poster with all particulars and a small introduction of his tour.”
The Argentine celebrity will arrive in Kolkata on December 12 for his longest cease, two days and one night time, earlier than heading to Ahmedabad on the thirteenth, Mumbai on the 14th, and at last New Delhi on the fifteenth, the place he’s scheduled to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first go to to India since 2011, when he captained La Albiceleste in a pleasant towards Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
The proposed itinerary and hypothesis on star companions
Kolkata will roll out the pink carpet for Messi, as per Dutta. On the morning of December 13, followers will get the prospect to attend a meet-and-greet session on the Taj Bengal resort, paired with a singular Meals and Tea Competition. The day may even see the revealing of Messi’s largest-ever statue and a 25-by-20-foot mural created in his honor. Followers will be capable to paint and depart messages on the mural throughout Durga Puja celebrations earlier than it’s formally introduced to Messi on the GOAT Live performance.
After wrapping up his Kolkata commitments, the 37-year-old will fly to Ahmedabad for a non-public occasion hosted by the Adani Basis on the night of December 13. The following day, Mumbai will host a meet-and-greet at CCI Brabourne, adopted by the GOAT Live performance and GOAT Cup on the iconic Wankhede Stadium. One of many extra uncommon occasions on the Mumbai leg would be the Mumbai Padel GOAT Cup, the place Messi will play the racket sport with Indian celebrities.
The tour will conclude in New Delhi on December 15. And right here’s the place the thriller deepens: whereas the promoter refused to substantiate, there’s rising buzz that Messi may very well be accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Hindustan Instances stories. Such a lineup would make the GOAT Tour one of the crucial star-studded soccer occasions India has ever seen.
