Pelé To Lionel Messi: Top 6 Iconic Football Stars Who Visited Or Played In India

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India has always drawn international soccer stars due to its distinctive combination of wealthy culture and increasing passion for the game. Through the years, a few of the greatest soccer stars, from Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, have traveled the world, therefore influencing fans and motivating next generations. These six famous footballers have visited India either in historic games or special events, therefore providing football fans unforgettable experiences on the ground.

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Pele, the Brazilian legend came to India in 1977. While he use to play for New York Cosmos and also played with Mohun Bagan in a exhibition match at the Eden Gardens.

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Diego Maradona, Argentine football legend made two visits to India, once in 2008 and again in 2017. In 2008, he laid the foundation stone for the Indian Football School in Maheshtala, close to Kolkata, and participated in a short match with the junior team of Mohun Bagan.

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Oliver Kahn German football icon visited India Fifteen years ago, in 2008, and played his final match at Kolkata's YBK Stadium. In front of almost 130,000 fans, he took on Mohun Bagan in a truly unforgettable farewell.

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Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest footballers ever, made a visit to India in 2011. The Argentine superstar participated in a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata, captivating football fans.

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Zinedine Zidane, the Legendary French midfielder made two visits to India, first in 2006 and then again in 2016. His trip in 2006 was as a goodwill ambassador, creating a unique bond with Indian football fans.

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David Beckham made two trips to India, the first being in January 2011 for a week as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In 2023, he was present at the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where he had the opportunity to meet cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.