Lionel Messi confirms participation in GOAT tour of India 2025, will return to country after 14 years

Lionel-Messi will return to India after 14 years.

Lionel Messi has officially confirmed that he will be part of the highly anticipated GOAT Tour of India 2025, marking his return to the country after a 14-year gap.

The Argentine World Cup-winning captain will kick off his four-city tour on December 13 in Kolkata, followed by stops in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The visit will conclude with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making it one of the most high-profile sports events in India’s recent history.

“It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago — the fans were fantastic,” Messi said as per Network 18.

“India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game,” the 38-year-old added.

While organisers had released the tour schedule on August 15, this is the first official confirmation from Messi himself, adding excitement among millions of fans.

Messi’s India visit will feature a variety of events, including concerts, football masterclasses, meet-and-greet sessions, food festivals, and even a padel exhibition at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

In Kolkata, the legendary footballer will once again take the field at the Salt Lake Stadium — the same venue where he last played in 2011 during Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela. The event, titled the “GOAT Concert” and “GOAT Cup”, will see Messi share the stage and field with Indian sports icons such as Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes.

Organisers also plan to unveil a 25-foot-high mural of Messi during the Durga Puja celebrations, along with the inauguration of his largest-ever statue. Ticket prices for the events are expected to start at ₹3,500.

Promoter Satadru Dutta, who secured the official authorization for the tour earlier this year after discussions with Messi and his father, has promised a unique fusion of Indian and Argentine culture.

A special food and tea festival in Kolkata will pay tribute to Messi’s love for Argentine tea, featuring an Assam-Argentine fusion blend.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai leg of the tour will host the “Padel GOAT Cup”, where Messi is expected to appear alongside a star-studded celebrity lineup that could include Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and other Bollywood personalities.

Security measures will be exceptionally tight, with coordination between Messi’s management team and local authorities to ensure smooth execution.

Interestingly, the Argentina national football team has also included India in its schedule for the November FIFA international window, between November 10–18, with a proposed friendly match in Kerala. While the venue and opponents are yet to be announced, this could potentially mark Messi’s second visit to India within two months — though his participation in the Kerala game remains uncertain.

A local source commented, “I will be surprised if the legendary footballer comes twice in a month. However, it is most likely that the Argentina team minus Messi may come to play in Kerala.”

According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the national team will have two more FIFA windows in 2025, one in October (to be held in the United States) and another in November, with matches in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India.

“The Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will have two FIFA friendly windows in the remainder of 2025,” the AFA stated.

“The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (opponents and cities to be determined). The second, from the 10th to the 18th of November, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined),” it added.

Messi, an Olympic gold medallist and 2022 World Cup-winning captain, continues to captivate fans worldwide. His GOAT Tour of India 2025 is expected to be one of the most celebrated football events ever held in the country, blending sport, culture, and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.