Kolkata, Dec 13: Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday, receiving a thunderous welcome as he kicked off his three day, four city GOAT India Tour 2025.
Messi landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 2:26 am, where thousands of fans braved the December chill to catch a glimpse of the football icon. Scenes of celebration quickly went viral on social media, with the airport’s Gate 4 transformed into a sea of Argentina flags, chants, and flashing phone cameras. Supporters sprinted between gates, hoping for a fleeting glimpse of the Barcelona legend.
Children perched on shoulders, drums rolled through the night, and chants of “Messi! Messi!” filled the air as Messi was escorted out under heavy security. A tightly guarded convoy whisked him to his hotel, where fans had gathered well past dawn, turning the Hyatt Regency into a mini fan zone adorned with sky-blue jerseys, scarves, and flags.
Fans Face Disappointment Amid Tight Security
Messi, accompanied by longtime strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, was taken straight from the airport to his hotel via a back entrance around 3:30 am, leaving many fans disappointed. Only a few airport staff caught a brief glimpse as the World Cup winner stepped off his private Gulfstream V in a black suit over a white T-shirt.
The entire seventh floor of the hotel, including Room 730, where Messi checked in, has been sealed off to ensure privacy and security. Fans camped overnight and booked rooms in hopes of being close to the superstar, while hotel corridors buzzed with chants and celebration.
Tour promoter Satadru Dutta described Messi’s arrival as historic for Kolkata. “In 2011, he had come after becoming the captain, but now he is coming after winning the World Cup and his eighth Ballon d’Or. This is really special. I don’t think he will come again, so it’s about celebration,” he said.
Security across the city was significantly tightened ahead of Messi’s visit, with police deployment at key points, sniffer dog checks, and heightened surveillance around the hotel to manage crowds and ensure safety.