The long-awaited announcement is here: Lionel Messi, the legendary footballer and captain of the current World Cup champions Argentina, is set to tour India. The news has been circulating for weeks, but Messi himself confirmed the ‘GOAT India Tour’ on his social media platforms, delighting Indian fans.
The announcement was made on Thursday, October 2nd, coinciding with the Dussehra festival. Messi’s post detailed his itinerary, revealing his plans for a 3-day visit. He expressed his enthusiasm for the tour, highlighting the various events he will be involved in.
Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, stated, “I am very excited to visit a beautiful country like India this December. It will be a pleasure to participate in concerts, youth football clinics, paddle cup events, and charity programs in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and possibly another city. It will also be an honor for me to meet and talk to the special people and celebrities of India.” He also mentioned it’s a great honor to return to India after 14 years, mentioning his fond memories of the fans and the country. Messi’s previous visit was in 2011. This time, his schedule includes Kolkata on December 13th, Mumbai on December 14th, and New Delhi on December 15th. A potential meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also on the cards in Delhi.