Thu Oct 02 07:35:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Lionel Messi Confirms Highly Anticipated “GOAT Tour” of India**

**KOLKATA, October 2, 2025** – Football superstar Lionel Messi has officially announced his participation in the “GOAT Tour” of India, scheduled for December 2025. This marks his first visit to the country since 2011, when he played in a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata.

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

The tour, kicking off in Kolkata on December 13th, will take Messi to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The whirlwind visit includes concerts, meet-and-greet sessions, food festivals, football masterclasses, and a padel exhibition in Mumbai. He is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15th.

In Kolkata, the Salt Lake Stadium will host the “GOAT Concert” and “GOAT Cup” on December 13th, where Messi is expected to share the field with Indian sports legends Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes. Organizers are planning a 25-foot mural to coincide with the Durga Puja festival, and the unveiling of what is said to be Messi’s largest statue. Ticket prices for the events are expected to start at ₹3,500.

Promoter Satadru Dutta, who secured the tour authorization, promises a spectacular fusion of Indian and Argentine cultures. A food and tea festival in Kolkata will celebrate Messi’s appreciation for Argentine tea. Messi will also attend the “Padel GOAT Cup” in Mumbai, with potential celebrity participants including Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and other Bollywood stars.

Security arrangements are expected to be stringent, involving both Messi’s team and local authorities.

Adding to the excitement, the Argentine national team, coached by Lionel Scaloni, has included India in its schedule for a November FIFA international window. They are slated to play a friendly match in Kerala between November 10-18, though the opponent and venue are yet to be confirmed.

While it is uncertain if Messi will participate in the Kerala friendly, his confirmed “GOAT Tour” promises to be a historic event for football fans in India. The tour is expected to be one of the largest football-related events ever staged in the country, solidifying Messi’s global appeal and India’s growing passion for the sport.

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