Did Lionel Messi Meet KKR Co-Owner Shah Rukh Khan During His GOAT Tour?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shah Rukh Khan and AbRam Khan met Lionel Messi during the GOAT Tour.
- Messi unveiled a 70-foot statue in Kolkata.
- Thousands of fans welcomed Messi at the airport.
- Messi considers this visit a return to familiar territory.
- He will travel to Hyderabad next.
Kolkata, Dec 13 (NationPress) Bollywood superstar and co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Shah Rukh Khan, along with his young son AbRam Khan, had the opportunity to meet football legend Lionel Messi here at the Salt Lake Stadium as part of the football icon's GOAT Tour.
Messi, the captain of Argentina's World Cup-winning team, touched down in Kolkata for a three-day visit to India starting Saturday. He was welcomed by a throng of fans at the airport late at night, with even more gathering outside his hotel. Along with Messi, World Cup champion Rodrygo de Paul and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez are also traveling with him as part of the GOAT Tour.
During the event, Messi virtually unveiled a stunning 70-foot statue in Lake Town, located near the clock tower in Sribhumi, with Suarez and Rodrygo present at the unveiling hosted by Minister Sujit Bose. The legendary player expressed his thanks by saying 'Muchas Gracias' before continuing his speech in Spanish.
Immediately after the statue's unveiling, Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam were spotted interacting with Messi, who greeted the actor with a bright smile.
Sanjeev Goenka, owner of the Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Lucknow Super Giants, also met Messi, gifting the football star a 'Sa Re Ga Ma Legends' caravan.
Goenka shared a photo with Messi on his X handle, captioning it: '#LionelMessi… the milestones, the magic, the mastery. And then you meet him and realize the humility is the real headline. An absolute privilege.'
Messi considers this trip a return to familiar ground, having last played in India in 2011 when he led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly.
Messi will remain in India until December 15 as part of a packed itinerary that includes visits to four different cities. With his Kolkata engagements concluded, he will next travel to Hyderabad.
Fresh off guiding Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer title earlier this week, marking the 48th trophy of his illustrious career, he arrives in India ready to create more memories.