Lionel Messi's "GOAT Tour 2025" is set to begin, and Kolkata is buzzing with anticipation as the full itinerary for his visit has been released. This marks Messi's first visit to India since 2011, when he played in a friendly match in Kolkata. The tour, spanning from December 13th to 15th, will cover Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Messi is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata at 1:30 AM. The morning kicks off with a meet-and-greet program from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Following this, from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM, he will virtually inaugurate a 70-foot iron statue of himself holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, believed to be the tallest statue of a footballer in the world, due to security concerns. The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club has constructed the statue.
At 11:15 AM, Messi is expected to arrive at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). A friendly match, felicitation ceremony, and interaction are scheduled from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly are also expected to be present at the stadium. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is slated to arrive at Yuva Bharati at 11:30 AM. Khan confirmed his attendance on X, expressing his excitement.
Adding to the local fervor, the Argentina Football Fan Club Kolkata has recreated Messi's Miami home in Salt Lake, featuring terracotta roofs and life-sized figures of Messi and his family.
Messi's Kolkata schedule concludes with his departure for Hyderabad at 2:00 PM. Later that day, at 7:00 PM, he will participate in a 7v7 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, alongside Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The Hyderabad leg will also feature a musical concert celebrating Messi.
The "GOAT India Tour 2025" continues with various events in Mumbai on December 14th, including a Padel Cup appearance, a celebrity football match, and a charity fashion show. There is also a possibility of him joining Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in a 7-a-side cricket match. Former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul are expected to join Messi in Mumbai.
The tour concludes in New Delhi on December 15th, where Messi may meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also attend a celebrity match and honor the youth team from Minerva Academy.
Tickets for the GOAT Tour are available on the District app. Ticket prices vary by city, starting at approximately Rs 4,500 in most cities, with Mumbai being an exception at Rs 8,250. General sale tickets are priced at Rs 7,670 in Delhi, Rs 4,366 in Kolkata, Rs 2,250 in Hyderabad and Rs 7,080 in Mumbai.
