Lionel Messi is set to embark on a highly anticipated three-city tour of India, and the groundwork for this visit was laid by none other than his fellow footballers, Ronaldinho and Emiliano Martinez. The tour, orchestrated by Kolkata-based sports promoter Satadru Dutta, is poised to be a landmark event for Indian football fans, offering them a chance to witness the Argentine maestro up close.
Dutta revealed that he sought the assistance of Messi's teammates, Emiliano Martinez and Ronaldinho, both of whom had previously visited India for events organized by him. Recognizing the close-knit nature of the football world, Dutta requested them to share their positive experiences of India with Messi. "The football world is a small circle," Dutta explained. "When I got Emi Martinez and Ronaldinho to Kolkata, I told them that I am trying to bring Messi to India and your review will matter. If you can give a good review to his team and even Messi himself, it will help".
Both Martinez and Ronaldinho, having experienced the fervor and hospitality of Indian fans, were happy to oblige. Their favorable reviews played a crucial role in convincing Messi to undertake the tour. "Touchwood, I executed it in a neat and clean way, they gave a very good review to Messi," Dutta added.
Messi's tour is scheduled to commence in Kolkata, with subsequent stops in Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Mumbai. The Argentinian star is expected to participate in various functions, including a potential meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A highlight of the tour is expected to be a seven-a-side exhibition match, where Messi might team up with Indian sporting icons and even try his hand at cricket.
Dutta also revealed that showing Messi videos of his previous visit to India in 2011 and images of a Messi statue erected during a Durga Puja festival in Kolkata further solidified his decision to come.
The multi-city format of the tour is crucial for its financial viability. Dutta emphasized that a single-city event would not be sustainable. The tour is planned between December 12th and 15th. In Kolkata, Messi is expected to attend the unveiling of his statue and a 'GOAT Concert' and 'GOAT Cup'. The 'GOAT Cup' will be a seven-a-side match, possibly featuring Messi alongside Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia.
While the specific details of Messi's itinerary are still being finalized, reports suggest that he may also meet with Indian cricket legends such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar during his visit to Mumbai.
Messi's previous visit to India was in 2011, when Argentina played a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata. Nicolas Otamendi scored the winning goal in that match, which also marked the beginning of Messi's captaincy for the national team. This upcoming tour promises to reignite "Messi fever" in India, with fans eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness the legend in action.
