Mumbai: Football icon Lionel Messi is set to arrive in India for a grand three-day event titled the GOAT Tour, scheduled from December 13 to 15, covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The Argentine legend, who recently lifted the 48th trophy of his career, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top Indian celebrities, and several chief ministers during the highly anticipated tour.
Event promoter Satadru Dutta has also confirmed that Messi will be joined by former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina’s FIFA World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, making the tour even more special for fans.
Ticket Details
Tickets for the GOAT Tour are available on the District app, with prices starting at ₹4,500 in most cities. The Mumbai leg is the only exception, where ticket prices begin at ₹8,250, due to larger-scale events and added celebrity participation.
Messi’s Travel Plan & Arrival
Messi will depart from Miami and briefly stop in Dubai to adjust his travel schedule before landing in Kolkata at around 1:30 am on December 13. His day will begin early, with events starting at 9:30 am.
He is expected to meet Sourav Ganguly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and participate in multiple public interactions, including a celebrity friendly match.
Events Across Four Cities
📍 December 13 – Kolkata
- 1:30 am: Arrival in Kolkata
- 9:30–10:30 am: Meet-and-greet session
- 10:30–11:15 am: Virtual inauguration of Messi’s statue
- 11:15–11:25 am: Arrival at Yuva Bharati
- 11:30 am: Shah Rukh Khan reaches Salt Lake Stadium
- 12:00 pm: CM Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly arrive
- 12:00–12:30 pm: Friendly match, felicitation & interactions
- 2:00 pm: Departure for Hyderabad
📍 December 13 – Hyderabad
- 7:00 pm: 7v7 football match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Featuring Messi and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy - Musical concert in Messi’s honour
📍 December 14 – Mumbai
- 3:30 pm: Participation in the Padel Cup at the Cricket Club of India
- 4:00 pm: Celebrity football match
- 5:00 pm: Event at Wankhede Stadium
Followed by a charity fashion show and a Spanish musical night featuring Luis Suárez
📍 December 15 – New Delhi
- Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- 1:30 pm: Event at Arun Jaitley Stadium, including Minerva Academy felicitation
This is Messi’s second visit to India, the first being in 2011 when Argentina defeated Venezuela 1–0 at the Salt Lake Stadium, with Messi assisting the winning goal.
Shah Rukh Khan Confirms Attendance in Kolkata
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has revealed that he will welcome Messi at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, adding even more excitement to the Kolkata leg of the tour.
SRK wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“This time round not planning my Knight in Kolkata… and hoping the day’s ride is completely ‘Messi’. See you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium.”
His presence is expected to draw an even larger crowd as football and cinema fans come together to celebrate Messi’s arrival in India.
