Is the GOAT Tour Here? Lionel Messi Touches Down in Kolkata!
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Messi's Arrival: The GOAT Tour has commenced with Messi in Kolkata.
- Star-studded Lineup: Suarez and De Paul are part of the tour.
- Statue Unveiling: A statue honoring Messi will be unveiled in Lake Town.
- Meetings: Messi will meet with notable figures, including Mamata Banerjee.
- Legacy: This trip celebrates Messi's lasting impact on football.
Kolkata, December 13 (NationPress) The highly anticipated GOAT Tour India 2025 has officially begun with Lionel Messi arriving at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport on Saturday.
Joining Messi are his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, who are set to dazzle Indian fans alongside the Argentine superstar.
In the midst of Messi's stardom, it's essential to highlight the vital roles that his teammates play in football. Suarez and De Paul are not just MLS icons for Miami; they are celebrated figures in the global football landscape.
Messi's visit to India will span from December 13 to 15, featuring a packed itinerary across four locations. He arrives on the heels of leading Inter Miami to their inaugural Major League Soccer championship—marking the 48th trophy of his illustrious career.
The first stop on Messi's whirlwind tour is Kolkata. He is expected to arrive at Salt Lake Stadium around 11:30 AM before heading to Hyderabad later that day.
During his time in the city, Messi will also unveil a 70-foot statue dedicated to his influence on the sport, which has been erected near the clock tower in Sribhumi, Lake Town.
His agenda in Kolkata extends beyond football; meetings with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan are scheduled, as Khan is currently in the city with his children.
Messi considers this trip a return to his roots, with his last match in Kolkata taking place in 2011, where he guided Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly.