-
Messi had planned stadium appearances in four Indian cities, starting with Kolkata. While the Kolkata event spiralled into disorder after politicians and officials surrounded him, his subsequent visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi were calm and celebratory
-
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was seen in close proximity to Messi throughout the programme, with visuals showing him holding the footballer around the waist while posing for photographs
-
Sourav Ganguly was at the Salt Lake Stadium when Messi visited the venue but he was reported to be in a different section of the premise when chaos broke out.
-
Ganguly, in his complaint emailed to the Cyber Cell of the Kolkata Police, said the person’s statements have adversely affected his reputation and mental peace
-
While we analyse the outcome of the Lionel Messi visit, we must also dissect the future of Indian football. The sport desperately needs a lifeline.
-
This is an opportunity to strike at the root of this VVIP culture. While you can’t do away with it in entirety, at least be conscious how it can harm a state and its reputation.
-
Lionel Messi also travelled to Jamnagar, Gujarat, where he visited Vantara, a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani.
-
Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed in grand traditional style with vibrant folk music, a showering of flowers symbolising blessings and purity of intent, and a ceremonial aarti.
-
While many have blamed the organisers for such a mishap, India's legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has pointed fingers at the footballer and his entourage.
-
The GOAT tour is finally over and perhaps Messi will never come back to Kolkata again.
-
A video showing a section of the crowd chanting 'AQI', 'AQI' has gone viral on social media
-
Rodrigo de Paul has accompanied Lionel Messi along with Luis Suarez for the trip.
-
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia also graced the event.
-
Lionel Messi in Delhi: The children, a mixed group of boys and girls, all wore the Argentina national jersey, while Messi sported a pink t-shirt.
-
Lionel Messi’s whirlwind three-day tour of four Indian cities created unprecedented excitement but also brought to light disturbing incidents.
-
As reported early, Lionel Messi was scheduled to meet the PM Narendra Modi, for which a 21-minute protocol was also prepared.
-
In the short time he has in the capital, Messi is also going to meet the Chief Justice of India, several Members of Parliament and a hand-picked group of India’s top sporting personalities.
-
Lionel Messi in Delhi: A tour that has blended football action, celebrity encounters, and special chances for young athletes to see one of the best players in the world comes to a fitting close with the Delhi leg.
-
The moment caught Luis Suarez by surprise, who playfully reacted to the move.
-
An awkward moment unfolded at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium when sections of the crowd booed as Tiger Shroff and Ajay Devgn were felicitated during Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event. The reaction appeared to stem from fans’ impatience, as many had gathered primarily to see the football legend.
-
Lionel Messi shared a moment with Sunil Chhetri as both hugged each other, and the Argentine also gifted a signed Argentina jersey to the Indian.
-
Lionel Messi arrived in Mumbai around noon under "World Cup level" security measures, marking the second day of his four-city 'GOAT India Tour 2025'.
-
Lionel Messi, along with Suarez and De Paul, participated in a GOAT Cup penalty shootout, conducted football clinics for children and interacted with fans before departing the venue.
-
The "Master Blaster" personally presented Lionel Messi with his iconic No. 10 ODI jersey.
-
It's interesting to note that the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan's contract with the Chicago Bulls had a "Love of the Game" clause.
