On Saturday, the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata presented a 70-foot statue of Argentina football hero Lionel Messi. Messi, who arrived in the City of Joy at 2:30 a.m., attended the ceremony electronically from the Hyatt Regency hotel. The stadium was filled with fans eager to take advantage of this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to see Messi in India. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner was accompanied by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his younger son AbRam Khan at his hotel.
Watch: Shah Rukh Khan, AbRam Khan meet Argentina footballer Lionel Messi
AbRam was also seen taking photos with Messi, his teammates Luis Suarez, and Rodrygo de Paul. Shahrukh met all three stars and was clearly happy to watch his son engage with them.
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VIDEO | Kolkata: Football icon Lionel Messi to virtually unveil his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake stadium, with West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan present at the event.#LionelMessi #Kolkata #Football
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/dqISIwMgl4---Advertisement---— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
The statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolising his historic World Cup victory, and has sparked widespread interest among football enthusiasts throughout the city and worldwide.
Earlier, West Bengal Minister and President of Sree Bhumi Sporting Club Sujit Bose stated that football legend Lionel Messi and his team are pleased with the 70-foot statue.
Sujit Bose told ANI that Messi and his team had given their approval for the statue and expressed their delight after seeing it. He also stated that the club has been in close communication with Messi’s management and that more involvement with the footballer is expected.
“We spoke with his management, and we plan to speak with Messi today… “He gave his approval for the statue, and they are also pleased,” Bose told ANI.
When was Lionel Messi’s first visit to India?
Notably, this is Lionel Messi’s first visit to India since 2011. During his earlier visit, the renowned footballer played a friendly match at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, in which Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. His comeback after 14 years has sparked widespread enthusiasm among football fans, who have planned a massive ceremony to welcome the worldwide superstar.
Satadru Dutta, promoter and organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour, stated that Messi’s arrival has created a sense of euphoria and revived enthusiasm for football throughout the country.
