Delhi Awaits: Lionel Messi's India Tour Culminates with Kohli Meeting
Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour reaches its final leg today, December 15, 2025. The Argentine superstar is set to appear at a sold-out event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, marking his first public appearance in the nation's capital. Following stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, the grand finale in Delhi promises a series of high-profile engagements, including a likely meeting with Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli.
Speculation about a potential meeting between Messi and Kohli has been rife since Kohli's return to India with his wife, Anushka Sharma. While there has been no official confirmation, the possibility of these two global sporting giants crossing paths has generated immense excitement among fans. Both athletes command massive fan followings in India, and even a brief interaction would undoubtedly become a major cultural moment. It is expected that Messi will meet Virat Kohli at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This meeting follows Messi's interaction with Sachin Tendulkar at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
Messi's Delhi schedule is packed with activities. He is expected to arrive in the morning and, according to some reports, will have a private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meetings with other VVIPs, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Justice of India, are also reportedly planned.
The public event at Arun Jaitley Stadium is scheduled to commence in the early afternoon. The event is scheduled to begin around 1:30 PM, with the main program starting around 2:30 PM. Messi is expected to take the field around 3:30 PM, followed by a football clinic for children and a felicitation ceremony. A celebrity football match is also on the cards.
Tickets for the Delhi event were available for purchase on the District ticketing platform, with prices starting at ₹4,720, but the event is now sold out.
The India tour has not been without its challenges. Messi's appearance in Kolkata was marred by chaos, with fansExpressing their disappointment over his brief appearance. The situation resulted in vandalism and prompted the All India Football Federation to distance itself from the event. However, subsequent events in Hyderabad and Mumbai were reportedly more successful. In Mumbai, Messi met Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri, presented Tendulkar with a replica of the 2022 World Cup football, and gifted Chhetri his Argentina jersey.
As Messi's India tour draws to a close in Delhi, fans are hoping for a seamless and memorable experience. The potential meeting with Virat Kohli, coupled with the other high-profile engagements, has raised expectations for a fitting end to the GOAT India Tour.
