GOAT in India: Messi's Whirlwind Tour Sparks Football
Frenzy and Legacy Hopes
Thousands stood , majority Bangla speaking, waiting in the pre-dawn chill of Kolkata, India, their breath forming clouds in the night air. At 2:26 a.m., a Gulfstream V private jet landed, carrying not just a footballer, but a symbol of global sporting excellence and the hopes of an entire nation for the future of football. Messi whose fans are spreading across the global football lovers and in the Gulf countries ( Saudi Arabia , Dubai - UAE , Qatar , Bahrain and Kuwait ) as well. specially Saudi Arabians when they defeated (2-1) their team Argentina in the last Football World Cup 2022 in Doha - Qatar. Interestingly , Saudi Arabia will host Football World Cup 2034 .
In the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kolkata was transformed into a sea of sky-blue Argentina jerseys and waving flags. The hotel lobby was packed with fans, some carrying babies, others who had traveled from far and wide, all hoping to catch a glimpse of their hero. The atmosphere was charged with pure "Messi mania," an energy reminiscent of Kolkata's historic receptions for football legends like Pelé and Maradona. But this time, the visit was different: Messi arrived not just as a football star, but as a World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, a living legend whose presence promised to leave an indelible mark on Indian football history.
The "Best Player in India 2025" tour, which began in 2011, marked Messi's first return to the country, when he led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This time, however, his intensive three-day, four-city itinerary took him from Kolkata to Hyderabad, then to Mumbai, and finally to Delhi, in a meticulously planned 72-hour football extravaganza.
Anticipation for Messi's arrival had been building for weeks, culminating in a massive midnight gathering at Kolkata Airport. Despite the bitter December chill in India, thousands of fans transformed Gate 4 of the international arrivals terminal into a sea of cheers, flags, and flashing phones and using their internet approach to viral their clips on Messi. Children sat excitedly on shoulders, drums beat in unison, and chants of "Messi! Messi!" echoed through the terminal well past 2:00 a.m.
1. The
Historic Arrival: Kolkata's Sleepless Welcome
Security was extremely tight across the city ahead of the tour. Police were deployed at every border crossing, sniffer dogs were in use, and surveillance was heightened around Messi's hotel. This security measure, while necessary, disappointed many devoted fans who had stayed up all night. Messi was escorted from the airport around 3:30 a.m. and taken to the Hyatt Regency Hotel via a back entrance, leaving hundreds of fans who had hoped for even a glimpse of their star deeply disappointed.
The scene at the hotel descended into chaos as fans surged through the corridors chanting "Messi, Messi." The hotel lobby resembled a fan zone for Argentinians, overflowing with sky-blue jerseys, scarves, and flags. Some fans went to extraordinary lengths to get close to their idol—one of them, a devoted Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, simply couldn't miss this historic moment.
"I'm a huge Ronaldo fan, so what? His biggest rival is coming to my city, and I couldn't miss this moment," explained a student at Perla High School. This down-to-earth fan perfectly captured the allure of the world tour, transcending traditional football rivalries.
2. The
Monumental Tribute: A 70-Foot Legacy
One of the most prominent physical monuments commemorating Messi in Kolkata was a 70-foot-tall iron statue at the Sri Bhumi Sports Club in Lake Town, south of Dom Dom. The towering structure, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was completed in a record-breaking 40 days, making it the largest Messi statue in the world viral on the internet.
Sujit Bose, Minister of West Bengal and Chairman of Sri Bhumi Sports Club, confirmed that Messi and his team were delighted with the statue after approving its creation. "This is a very large statue, 70 feet tall. There is no other Messi statue of this size in the world," Bose remarked, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this tribute. Messi was scheduled to unveil the statue virtually as part of his Kolkata program, a symbolic gesture directly linking the football legend to the city's sporting infrastructure.
The statue represents more than just a physical monument; it symbolizes the aspirations of Indian football. Tour organizer Satador Duta explained: "This statue, which has been erected and will be unveiled in the morning, is the first of its kind in the world. Messi is expected to leave a legacy this time.
3. The
Whirlwind Itinerary: Four Cities in Three Days
Messi's legendary India Tour 2025 was a meticulously planned tour across the Indian subcontinent, designed to maximize reach and impact in a short timeframe:
Kolkata (Saturday, December 13)
• Sponsor meet-and-greet (morning)
• Tribute program at Salt Lake Stadium featuring music, dance, and an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan "Messi" All Stars and Diamond Harbour "Messi" All Stars
• "Advanced Lesson with Messi" for children and tribute to the Bengal Santosh Cup winners
• Honorary tour and virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue in Laketown
• Special appearances by Luis Suárez, Rodrigo de Paul, Shah Rukh Khan, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
• Departure for Hyderabad at 2:05 PM
Hyderabad (Saturday evening)
• Evening event at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
• Short match demonstration
• Football workshop and tribute
• Attendance by the Chief Minister of Telangana Rivanth Reddy
Mumbai (Sunday, December 14)
• Event at Wankedee Stadium
• 45-minute charity fashion show featuring Suarez and De Paul
• Padel tournament at the Indian Cricket Club (prior to the main match)
Delhi (Monday, December 15)
• Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Honoring the winners of three Minerva Academy youth tournaments
• Nine-a-side exhibition match
4. Football's Place in India's Heart and on the Global Stage
The warm welcome Messi received in Kolkata, the football capital of India, was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a long-standing tradition in the city of embracing football legends. The city's fascination with global football icons dates back to 1977, when Pelé's New York
Cosmos drew 2-2 with Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens. Pelé returned in 2015 to greet the 1977 generation, famously telling the fans, "There will never be another Pelé."
Over the decades, Kolkata has welcomed numerous football legends who drew massive crowds:
• Diego Maradona (2008 and 2017) – He ignited unprecedented passion in the city with huge attendances
• Oliver Kahn (his farewell match in 2008) – He drew over 100,000 spectators to Salt Lake Stadium
• Brazilians Dunga, Bebeto, and Mauro Silva
• Colombian René Higuita (2012) – He showcased his famous scorpion kick save
• Uruguayan Diego Forlán (2010) – He received a rapturous welcome after winning the Ballon d'Or.
This historical context reveals India's deep and genuine passion for football, which is often underappreciated internationally. This passion was on full display during Messi's 2011 visit, when he led Argentina to their first away game, filling Salt Lake Stadium to capacity. His return after 14 years - now as a World Cup champion - has greatly strengthened this connection.
5. The
Lasting Impact: Beyond the Celebrations
The true significance of Messi’s “Greatest of All Time” tour extends far beyond the immediate celebrations. As tour organizer Sattardo Dutta emphasized, “Never before have so many sponsors come together to support a football star. It may be said that this tour is for Messi, but even if just 10% of this amount is directed towards the development of Indian football, it will be a tremendous achievement.”
This observation highlights a crucial opportunity for Indian football. The tour has generated unprecedented corporate interest and sponsorship for a football event in India. If these resources are strategically channeled, they can significantly boost grassroots football development, infrastructure, and youth programs.
The timing of the tour is particularly important given the current state of Indian football on the international stage. Despite being the world’s second most populous nation with a passionate fan base,
India currently sits at 121st in the FIFA World Rankings (as of late 2025). The national team has struggled to qualify for major tournaments, with its last appearance at the FIFA World Cup dating back to 1950.
However, there are promising signs of progress:
• The Indian Super League (ISL), launched in 2014, has contributed to increased professionalism and wider reach.
• Growing investment in youth academies and local talent development programs.
• Improved infrastructure with world-class stadiums in several cities.
• Increasing viewership of international football leagues. Messi’s visit is a celebration of the global appeal of football and a potential catalyst for its development in India. The “Master Class with Messi” sessions for children, the recognition of youth award winners, and the football coaching courses included in the tour program directly contribute to grassroots skill development.
Perhaps most importantly, Messi’s presence is an inspiration to young Indian footballers. Seeing a global icon on their soil and participating in football activities with local players and children makes excelling in the sport seem more attainable. The image of Messi holding the World Cup trophy—embossed in the 70-foot-tall statue in Kolkata—is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through dedication and talent.
As the “Greatest of All Time” tour moves from Kolkata to Delhi, the excitement will gradually subside, but the potential legacy will remain. If the energy, investment, and attention generated by Messi’s visit are channeled into the
systematic development of Indian football’s infrastructure, training programs, and youth development initiatives, this intense three-day tour could prove to be a turning point for Indian football.
The challenge now is to transform this inspiring moment into sustainable progress, turning Messi’s passion into a robust football movement that elevates India’s standing on the global football stage. The statue in Kolkata will stand as a lasting testament not only to the visit of a football legend but also to what Indian football can one day become.
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