Mumbai, Dec 14, 2025: The iconic Wankhede Stadium witnessed another unforgettable moment in Indian sporting history on Sunday as Lionel Messi and Sachin Tendulkar—two of the greatest sportspersons of all time—shared the spotlight during a grand event as part of Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025.
On the third stop of his four-city tour, the Argentine football legend spent close to an hour at the historic venue, interacting with young footballers, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, and several prominent personalities from sports and entertainment. The packed stadium reverberated with chants of “Messi… Messi”, creating a charged and emotional atmosphere.
Project Mahadeva Launched to Nurture Football Talent
During the event, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the launch of ‘Project Mahadeva’, an ambitious grassroots initiative aimed at identifying and developing young footballing talent across Maharashtra. The programme drew enthusiastic applause from fans, players, and officials alike.
Messi later joined children from the Project Mahadeva initiative on the pitch, exchanging passes and sharing smiles in a light-hearted session that delighted the young participants and spectators.
Suarez and De Paul Add Star Power
Messi was joined by fellow Argentine stars Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, who also interacted with fans and youngsters, further elevating the evening’s excitement. Thousands of supporters filled the stands, waving Argentina, Barcelona, and club flags, turning the Wankhede into a sea of colour and celebration.
The trio made a lap around the ground acknowledging the roaring crowd, soaking in the electric atmosphere that Mumbai delivered in full voice.
A Moment to Remember: Messi Meets Tendulkar
One of the most cherished moments of the evening came when Sachin Tendulkar presented Lionel Messi with a Team India jersey. Messi reciprocated by gifting Tendulkar a football, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
As the event concluded, Messi was seen holding the Indian tricolour, while Suárez carried Uruguay’s flag and De Paul waved Argentina’s colours—an image that quickly went viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
Smooth Mumbai Leg After Earlier Setbacks
Messi arrived in Mumbai amid heightened, World Cup-level security, following earlier crowd management issues during the Kolkata leg of the tour. The Hyderabad event had already shown improved organisation, and Mumbai authorities further tightened arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for fans.
The Mumbai leg stood out for its seamless execution, vibrant atmosphere, and emotional resonance.
Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 will conclude on Monday in New Delhi, where the football icon is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing an end to one of the most closely followed sporting visits in recent Indian history.
