Thousands of fans braved the chilly December night to welcome Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. The Barcelona legend touched down at 2:26 am on Saturday, sending the city into a frenzy. Fans gathered at Gate 4 of the international arrivals, waving flags, chanting, and capturing every moment on their phones. Many ran between gates just to catch a glimpse of their sporting idol.
Rousing Welcome Amid Tight Security
The whole streets of India is going crazy because of Messi
---Advertisement---He owns the streets pic.twitter.com/1NXCxUQREp
— Elias (@fcb_elias1) December 12, 2025
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Children perched on their parents’ shoulders while drums beat in unison as Messi was swiftly escorted through the VIP gate under heavy security. A long convoy then transported him to his hotel, where a large crowd had gathered and continued waiting late into the night. Barricades, extensive police deployment, and nonstop cheering created a citywide spectacle, with local media dubbing the scene ‘Messi mania.’
Messi arrived alongside his long-time strike partner Luis Suarez and fellow Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, signaling an exciting few days for Indian football fans.
Messi’s Packed Kolkata Itinerary
Messi’s day in Kolkata began with a private meet-and-greet from 9:30 to 10:30 am, exclusively for select guests and event organizers. Following this, he participated in a virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue created in his honor at Salt Lake Stadium, demonstrating the city’s deep admiration for the World Cup-winning superstar. The event was attended virtually by Messi himself, with local dignitaries including Fire Minister Sujit Bose, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, and cricket legend Sourav Ganguly present to witness the celebration.
Friendly Match and Fan Interaction
Later in the day, Messi took to the Yuva Bharati Stadium for a friendly match, drawing a packed crowd eager to watch the football legend in action. Fans had lined up hours in advance, hoping to see Messi display his world-class skills live. His Kolkata visit concluded with a fan interaction session at the same venue, allowing admirers to meet the football icon in person.
GOAT India Tour 2025 Continues
Over the next 72 hours, Messi is scheduled to travel across Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, meeting chief ministers, corporate leaders, Bollywood celebrities, and ultimately Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The tour highlights Messi’s growing connection with his Indian fan base and underscores the country’s enthusiasm for global football stars.
Kolkata’s early-morning celebrations marked the start of what is being called the biggest football fan spectacle in India in recent years, proving that Messi’s popularity transcends borders.
