By News18,Vivek Ganapathy

Copyright news18

Lionel Messi confirmed his participation in the GOAT Tour of India 2025 as the Argentine World Cup winner is set to return to the peninsular nation after fourteen long years.
Messi will begin his four-city tour in Kolkata on December 13 before travelling to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The trip is slated to culminate with a meeting with the honourable Prime Minister of nation, Mr Narendra Modi.
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“It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago — the fans were fantastic,” Messi said.
“India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game,” the 38-year-old added.
The organisers had already unveiled the itinerary on August 15, and Messi’s statement on Thursday marked the first time the football icon himself confirmed the visit.
During the tour, the Argentine superstar will headline concerts, meet-and-greet sessions, food festivals, football masterclasses, and even a padel exhibition at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.
In Kolkata, Messi’s event will be held at Salt Lake Stadium, which was also confirmed on Thursday. The stadium will host the legend for the second time on December 13, during the “GOAT Concert” and “GOAT Cup,” where Messi is expected to share the field with Indian icons Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes.
Organisers are also planning to unveil a 25-foot-high mural during Durga Puja festivities, along with the inauguration of Messi’s biggest-ever statue. Tickets for the events are expected to start from Rs 3,500.
This will be Messi’s first visit to India since 2011, when he captained Argentina in a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium.
Promoter Satadru Dutta, who secured the authorisation earlier this year after meetings with Messi and his father, has promised a spectacle blending Indian and Argentine culture.
A food and tea festival in Kolkata will highlight Messi’s fondness for Argentine tea, with a special Assam fusion.
In Mumbai, Messi will also attend the “Padel GOAT Cup” and participate in a celebrity line-up that could include Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Bollywood stars.
Security arrangements are expected to be unprecedented, with both Messi’s team and local authorities involved.
Lionel Messi is preparing for his commitments in December, but the Argentina national football team has included India in their schedule for a November FIFA international window.
The world champions, coached by Lionel Scaloni, are set to play a friendly in Kerala between November 10-18. However, the opponents and venue are yet to be finalized.
If this visit proceeds, it could mean Messi traveling to India twice within two months. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether the 38-year-old forward will participate in the Kerala match.
“I will be surprised if the legendary footballer comes twice in a month. However, it is most likely that the Argentina team minus Messi may come to play in Kerala,” said a source in the state.
The November friendly is part of three games scheduled during the window, with the other two set to take place in Angola.
“The Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will have two FIFA friendly windows in the remainder of 2025,” the AFA stated.
“The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (opponents and cities to be determined). The second, from the 10th to the 18th of November, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined),” it added.
Messi, an Olympic gold medallist and 2022 World Cup-winning captain, continues to attract unprecedented fanfare worldwide, and his December tour is expected to be one of the biggest football-related events ever staged in India.