By Rahul Sadhu
Copyright timesnownews
Lionel Messi officially confirmed his return to India on Thursday for the GOAT Tour 2025, with three cities locked in and a possible fourth under discussion. The Argentine superstar will visit Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi in December, with the capital city also on the itinerary for meetings and official engagements. But promoter Satadru Dutta, who secured the authorisation for Messi’s India tour, revealed that the plan may expand further. “Right now it’s a three-city tour, but we’re discussing adding another city,” Dutta told Sports Now in an exclusive chat. “This is likely Messi’s final appearance in India; I don’t think he’ll return in the next 10–15 years because of his schedule and stature. This is also the first personal event of this kind in Messi’s entire career.” The tour, he added, would blend football and culture. “There will be Kodak moments and collaborations with Indian sports legends, especially football icons. While the focus is to promote football, Messi also has fans in other fraternities, Bollywood, and cricket, so we’ll have a few crossover events.” For Dutta, who has previously brought Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho and Emi Martínez to India, Messi’s visit is in a league of its own. “This is Messi’s first-ever personal event anywhere in the world,” he stressed. “And for Indian fans, it may be the last time to see him here in person.” Lionel Messi Confirms India Visit Lionel Messi confirmed the visit to India, stating that it is an “honour” to revisit the “passionate football nation” where he last played 14 years ago. “I’m truly excited to be visiting such a beautiful country as India this December,” he wrote on Instagram. “It will be a pleasure to attend concerts, youth football clinics, a paddle cup and launch charitable initiatives during events at iconic stadiums in Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and maybe one more city…these tickets will be available exclusively on the District app. It will also be an honour to be able to interact and meet with India’s biggest stars and top dignitaries,” he added. “Thanks to The Satadru Dutta Initiative for making it possible to come back to India after 14 years,” he concluded.
