Lionel Messi Concludes GOAT India Tour 2025 with Enthralling Events Across Major Cities
Messi's Arrival in Jamnagar
On December 15, football legend Lionel Messi, accompanied by teammates Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul, and others from the GOAT India Tour, arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The Argentine superstar is set to visit Vantara, a wildlife rescue and conservation center, where he will be hosted by Anant Ambani.
Grand Finale in New Delhi
The grand finale of Messi's "G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025" took place in New Delhi, marking a successful conclusion to the four-city tour that generated immense excitement among fans.
Messi reached the capital on December 15 after engaging with fans in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, with the Delhi event serving as the tour's grand finale.
Celebrity Football Match at Arun Jaitley Stadium
The on-field activities at Arun Jaitley Stadium featured a celebrity football match between the Minerva Messi All Stars and the Celebrity Messi All Stars. After the match, Messi interacted briefly with players from both teams and shared some passes with young footballers, alongside Suarez and De Paul, creating unforgettable moments for aspiring talents.
Ceremony with Dignitaries
The event concluded with a stage ceremony attended by Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other notable figures, including Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Rohan Jaitley, President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association, and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
During the ceremony, Jay Shah presented specially designed Indian cricket jerseys to Messi, Suarez, and De Paul, along with a commemorative cricket bat signed by legendary Indian cricketers for Messi.
Memorable Moments in Mumbai and Hyderabad
While in Mumbai, Messi visited the iconic Wankhede Stadium as part of his 'GOAT India Tour' 2025, where he met Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, who is honored with the 'Bharat Ratna'.
In Hyderabad, Messi's second stop on the tour, fans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium witnessed him in action during a 7-on-7 exhibition match, which included the state's Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy. The enthusiastic crowd showered Messi with love, and he also met Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
Chaotic Start in Kolkata
The Kolkata leg of the 'GOAT Tour 2025' began with chaos. What was meant to be a celebration between the World Cup-winning superstar and the football-loving state turned hectic due to the presence of VIPs and politicians on the pitch, leaving fans struggling to catch a glimpse of the footballer for whom they had eagerly paid to see.