Lionel Messi Ignites India With Celebrity Matches, Clinics and Unprecedented Fan Celebrations

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, 2022 FIFA World Cup champion, and widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, begins his historic maiden full-fledged tour of India on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Dubbed the “G.O.A.T. Tour 2025”, the three-day extravaganza will see the Argentine superstar visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, accompanied in parts by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.

Full City-Wise Schedule (Updated as of December 12, 2025)

KOLKATA – Saturday, 13 December

• 01:30 AM: Messi arrives in Kolkata
• 09:30 – 10:30 AM: VIP Meet-and-Greet (Salt Lake Stadium)
• 11:00 AM onwards: Main event at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• 11:20 AM: Unveiling of 70-foot Messi statue in Lake Town (world’s tallest footballer statue, Guinness record attempt)
• 11:30 AM: Shah Rukh Khan joins the ceremony
• 12:00 PM: Celebrity match & grand stage ceremony with Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
• 02:00 PM: Departure to Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – Saturday, 13 December

• 04:00 PM: Arrival in Hyderabad
• 04:30 PM: Visit to Taj Falaknuma Palace
• 07:15 – 09:15 PM: 7-a-side exhibition match
• 07:50 PM: Celebrity segment featuring Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and school children
• Evening: Football clinic conducted by Messi, Suárez and De Paul

MUMBAI – Sunday, 14 December

• 11:40 AM: Arrival in Mumbai
• 03:30 PM: Padel Cup at Cricket Club of India (CCI)
• 04:00 PM: Celebrity football match at Wankhede Stadium
• 04:55 PM onwards: Charity fashion show, auction of Messi’s 2022 World Cup memorabilia, Spanish music performance by Luis Suárez
• Expected guests: Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Kareena Kapoor Khan and others

DELHI – Monday, 15 December (Grand Finale)

• 10:45 AM: Arrival in Delhi
• 11:35 AM: Meet-and-Greet session
• Afternoon: Courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• 03:00 PM: Football clinic at Arun Jaitley Stadium with Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, MS Dhoni and Minerva Football Academy players
• 07:00 PM: Departure from India

Four cities, three days, countless memories—India is ready for the Messi magic.

Also Read: Messi’s India Tour Gathers Pace as Hyderabad Finalises Grand Reception Plans for Dec 13