Lionel Messi Wraps Up GOAT India Tour with Star Encounters in Delhi

Lionel Messi's GOAT India tour concluded with exciting encounters in Delhi, where he met Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav and Paralympic champion Sumit Antil. The football legend received personalized jerseys from the ICC Chairman and an invitation to the T20 World Cup. The tour wrapped up with a visit to a wildlife conservation center in Gujarat, showcasing Messi's diverse experiences in India. Discover more about his star-studded interactions and the highlights of this memorable journey.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 20:10 IST

Messi Meets Indian Sports Stars

During the final phase of his GOAT India tour, Lionel Messi had the opportunity to meet Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav and Paralympic javelin gold medalist Sumit Antil in Delhi. The Argentine football icon donned the Indian cricket team's jersey while posing for a photo with Antil, who shared an Instagram story featuring the two together.

A video shared by the Delhi Capitals, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, showcased Kuldeep Yadav engaging with Messi. The football star, accompanied by fellow players Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, kicked off his four-city tour in Kolkata, followed by stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and finally Delhi on December 15.

Star-Studded Reception in Delhi

In Delhi, Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), welcomed Messi, De Paul, and Suarez by presenting them with Indian cricket team jerseys at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Messi also had a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Rohan Jaitley, the President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Personalized Jerseys and T20 World Cup Invite

Jay Shah gifted Messi a customized Team India jersey featuring the number 10, while Suarez received the number 9 and De Paul was given number 7, each personalized with their names. Shah extended an invitation to Messi to attend the upcoming T20 World Cup, presenting him with a ticket that marked a memorable moment of the tour.

Tour Ends with Wildlife Experience

Messi concluded his tour with a visit to Vantara, a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center established by Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He departed from Jamnagar on Tuesday.