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Artist Swapan Kumar Das draws a portrait of Argentine footballer and 2022 FIFA World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi ahead of his visit, in Kolkata, West Bengal, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Lionel Messi is set to touch down in India for a highly anticipated three-day GOAT Tour, scheduled from December 13 to 15. The football legend will travel to four cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi — making it one of the most high-profile sporting visits the country has ever witnessed.
The Argentine magician will be flying in from Miami, with a brief layover in Dubai aimed at adjusting to the time difference. He is expected to land in Kolkata around 1.30 a.m. on December 13, before embarking on a packed three-day itinerary.
This is his second visit to India, after taking part in Argentina’s 1-0 win against Venezuela in a friendly match in Kolkata in 2011.
The Messi menu in India in 2025:
Day 1 (December 13) – Kolkata
Messi arrives in Kolkata, where he will attend a meet-and-greet session and virtually unveil a 70-foot statue of his, made by artist Monti Pal and titled ‘Monumento de Messi’. It is being installed at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town.
A felicitation ceremony is planned at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. There, alongside a few concerts and other special events, Messi is expected to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sourav Ganguly, and Shah Rukh Khan.
A coaching clinic for kids is also on the cards.
Day 1 (December 13) – Hyderabad
Messi will land at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and a green channel will come into effect owing to the Z category security he is being accorded.
The 38-year-old will take part in an exhibition match alongside Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, followed by a football clinic for kids.
Messi will take part in a parade along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, followed by a felicitation function.
He will then visit the Falaknuma Palace, where a private meet-and-greet session has been arranged.
Day 2 (December 14) – Mumbai
Messi will travel to Mumbai in the morning, where he will take part in a fashion show for charity. Prominent Bollywood stars like John Abraham, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jackie Shroff are expected to take part in it. There, one of Messi’s Qatar 2022 memorabilia will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to charity.
Cricket Club of India (CCI) will host a padel match with cricket stars, including Sachin Tendulkar. A celebrity football game featuring leading Bollywood actors is also in the pipeline.
At the Wankhede Stadium, Messi will conduct a coaching clinic for 60 children (30 boys and 30 girls).
Day 3 (December 15) – New Delhi
Messi will attend an event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium where the Minerva Academy players, who won three European youth trophies this season, will be felicitated. Later, two coaching programmes have been planned for the kids.
A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also on the agenda.
All in all, a whirlwind tour of India for the GOAT.
Published – December 12, 2025 08:42 pm IST
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Lionel Messi’s tour of India: The full itinerary
