Messi Sends World Cup Jersey Gift to PM Modi on 75th Birthday

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has sent a signed jersey from Argentina's triumphant 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a birthday gift for his 75th birthday on Wednesday. The gesture, announced amid preparations for Messi's upcoming visit to India, underscores the growing affinity between the global superstar and Indian fans. Promoter Satadru Dutta, who is organizing Messi's tour, confirmed the delivery will occur within two to three days and stems from a February meeting where Messi expressed interest in honoring the occasion.

Messi's decision follows discussions with Dutta, who met Messi's father earlier in 2025 to propose the tour and held a 45-minute session with the player himself on February 28. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, currently with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, has wished well for Indian supporters and expressed excitement about visiting New Delhi and Mumbai for the first time. This marks a continuation of Messi's engagement with India, where he last visited in 2011 with the Argentina national team for a friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, which they won 1-0.

The 'GOAT Tour of India 2025' is scheduled from December 12 to 15, starting in Kolkata—the football-enthused city's longest leg—with a meet-and-greet, fusion food festival, statue unveiling, and the GOAT Concert and Cup exhibition match at Eden Gardens or Salt Lake Stadium, featuring celebrities like Sourav Ganguly and Bhaichung Bhutia.

The itinerary proceeds to Ahmedabad for a private Adani Foundation event, Mumbai for events at Wankhede Stadium including a Padel GOAT Cup with stars like Sachin Tendulkar, and culminates in Delhi on December 15 with a potential meeting at Modi's residence followed by a finale at Arun Jaitley Stadium, possibly joined by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. Tickets are expected to start at Rs 3,500, promoting football's growth in India.

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Adding to the excitement, the Argentina national team, led by manager Lionel Scaloni and expected to include Messi, will play a FIFA international friendly in Kerala between November 10 and 18, 2025, against an opponent from the top 50 FIFA rankings, as confirmed by the Argentine Football Association.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman highlighted the state's football passion, with the match likely at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. This visit, the first for Argentina since 2011, could see Messi in India twice within two months, boosting local football culture and fan engagement.

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