On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend, has gifted him a signed jersey from Argentina's victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. The jersey is described as one of the most cherished gifts PM Modi has received this year. Wishes have been pouring in from global leaders and celebrities for PM Modi's birthday.
The gesture comes ahead of Messi's highly anticipated tour of India in December. According to Satadru Dutta, a sports entrepreneur and the promoter of Messi's upcoming India tour, Messi sent the signed jersey as a birthday gift for PM Modi and has conveyed his best wishes to Indian fans. Dutta also mentioned that efforts will be made to arrange a meeting between Messi and PM Modi during his visit.
Messi's tour of India is scheduled from December 13 to 15. He will begin his visit in Kolkata on December 13, proceed to Mumbai on December 14, and conclude in New Delhi on December 15, where a meeting with PM Modi is likely. Events are planned for Messi at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, and Delhi's Arun Jaitely Stadium.
This will be Messi's first trip to India in over a decade. He last visited in 2011 when he captained Argentina in a FIFA friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium, an event that drew massive crowds.
Adding to the excitement for football fans in India, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is reportedly working on plans to play a friendly match in Kerala in November. Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has confirmed these plans. The Kerala Football Association (KFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are collaborating to finalize the details and venue for the match. If Messi participates in the match in Kerala, Indian fans will have the opportunity to see him twice in India within a span of two months.
The signed jersey from Messi is expected to be a valuable item. PM Modi typically auctions the gifts he receives and donates the proceeds to charity, and Messi's signed jersey is anticipated to fetch a significant amount during this year's auction.
