Sunil Chhetri Declines Meeting With Lionel Messi During GOAT Tour, Citing Lack of Benefit to Indian Football

In a surprising turn of events, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has reportedly declined an invitation to meet Lionel Messi during the Argentine superstar's "GOAT Tour" in India this month. Messi is scheduled to be in India for 72 hours, visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi between December 13th and 15th.

Chhetri, the former captain and record goalscorer for the Indian national team, believes that a meeting with Messi would not significantly benefit Indian football, given the tour's focus on non-footballing activities. Messi's itinerary includes unveiling a 70-foot statue in Kolkata, participating in a 7v7 exhibition match in Hyderabad with Telangana's Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, attending a charity fashion show in Mumbai, and meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

According to India Today, Chhetri, the fourth-highest goalscorer in international football history, politely declined the offer, stating that a meeting with Messi would not do anything meaningful for Indian football. His stance highlights the perceived disconnect between Messi's visit and the actual development of the sport in India.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is currently struggling to secure sponsors and broadcasters for the Indian Super League (ISL), casting a shadow over the future of the country's top football competition. The lack of clarity regarding the ISL's resumption further underscores the challenges facing Indian football. Chhetri's decision reflects a broader sentiment that Messi's visit, while generating excitement, may not address the fundamental issues plaguing the sport in India.

Messi's tour focuses on a series of light-hearted activities unrelated to football. This contrasts with Messi's previous visit to India in 2011 when Argentina played a friendly match against Venezuela. This time, his schedule includes meeting state leaders, Bollywood stars, and attending events that seem more like a political roadshow than a sports-focused trip.

Despite the buzz surrounding Messi's visit, the public response has been mixed. While Kolkata is expected to be enthusiastic, ticket sales have not fully met expectations. In contrast, Delhi and Mumbai, strong cricketing bases, have shown greater interest.

Anit Ghosh, former East Bengal captain, credited Satadru Dutta, the tour's promoter, for securing sponsors and convincing Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul to visit India. Ghosh also criticized the AIFF's inability to secure sponsors for the ISL while Dutta successfully brought companies like Adani, HSBC, and JSW on board.

While Chhetri may not be meeting Messi during this tour, he has previously expressed his admiration for the Argentinian star. In 2021, Chhetri stated that if he ever met Messi, he would simply say, "Hi, I'm Sunil Chhetri, and I'm a big fan". He also humbly dismissed comparisons between himself and Messi, acknowledging Messi's unparalleled impact on world football.

Chhetri's decision not to meet Messi during the GOAT tour underscores the need for initiatives that directly contribute to the growth and development of football at the grassroots level in India.