Football fans across India are buzzing with excitement as preparations are finalized for Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated tour in December 2025, starting with a spectacular kickoff in Kolkata. The Argentine icon’s whirlwind visit will include stops in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, culminating in a high-profile meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While arrangements, including the booking of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, are in place, an official confirmation from Messi is still awaited, possibly via his social media.
Messi is set to arrive in Kolkata on December 12, 2025, at 10 PM, staying for two days and one night—the longest stop on his tour. On December 13, the festivities begin at 9 AM with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of the World Cup winner at Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road, touted as the tallest of its kind globally. The highlight of the Kolkata leg will be the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Eden Gardens from 12 noon to 1:30 PM. The GOAT Cup will feature a seven-a-side soft-ball, soft-touch game, with Messi joined by Indian sports and entertainment luminaries such as Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia. Described as a “celebration play” in honor of Messi, the event will include a musical tribute and a masterclass with children to inspire young footballers. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to felicitate Messi during the program. The Eden Gardens event is fully ticketed, with prices starting at Rs 3,500, and organizers anticipate a sellout crowd of 68,000.
On the evening of December 13, Messi will travel to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation at their Shantigram headquarters, marking a brief but significant stop before heading to Mumbai. On December 14, Mumbai will host Messi with a meet-and-greet at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) at 3:45 PM, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Wankhede Stadium at 5:30 PM. The event will mirror Kolkata’s format, featuring a soft-ball, soft-touch game with Indian celebrities. Organizers have dismissed rumors of Messi participating in a cricket match with stars like MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli, emphasizing the focus on football. A special interaction with the Indian football team, including Sunil Chhetri, is also planned, subject to availability.
Also Read: Tharun Mannepalli’s Valiant Run Ends in Macau Open Semifinals
Messi’s tour concludes in New Delhi on December 15, with a prestigious meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla at 2:15 PM. As in other cities, Messi will conduct a masterclass for children, aiming to motivate the next generation of Indian footballers. Despite earlier speculation, the tour will not include a stop in Kerala, the source confirmed, focusing instead on the four confirmed cities.
Messi’s last visit to India in 2011 sparked “Messi fever” in Kolkata, where he played an exhibition match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium, drawing 75,000 fans. The 2025 tour promises to reignite that passion, with a larger entourage, including fellow footballers, though details remain undisclosed. While the itinerary is finalized, fans eagerly await Messi’s official announcement, expected soon on his social media.
The proposed schedule is as follows: arrival in Kolkata on December 12 at 10 PM; December 13 in Kolkata with a meet-and-greet at 9 AM, statue unveiling, GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Eden Gardens (12 noon–1:30 PM), and an evening event in Ahmedabad; December 14 in Mumbai with a meet-and-greet at CCI (3:45 PM) and GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Wankhede Stadium (5:30 PM); and December 15 in New Delhi with a meeting with PM Modi and GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla (2:15 PM).
With a 70-foot statue, star-studded events, and masterclasses for young players, Messi’s 2025 India tour is poised to be a historic celebration of football, uniting fans across the nation in what promises to be Messi Mania 2.0.
Also Read: Kia India’s Sales Soar 8% in July, Driven by Carens Clavis Success