Sat Dec 13 07:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
Headline: Lionel Messi Arrives in Kolkata for Whirlwind Visit, Statue Unveiling
Kolkata: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has landed in Kolkata, marking his first visit to the city since 2011. The superstar’s brief tour is packed with engagements, including the virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue erected in his honor in the Lake Town area.
Messi is also scheduled to meet with prominent Indian figures, including former Team India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The football legend will then depart for Hyderabad later in the evening. In Hyderabad, he is expected to participate in an exhibition football match at the Uppal Stadium, which is being organized under the banner of the “GOAT Cup.”
This visit is generating significant excitement among football fans in India, eager to catch a glimpse of one of the world’s greatest players.
First Piper 