Kolkata & Hyderabad, Dec 13: Football legend Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata late Friday night to a massive fanfare, with thousands of supporters gathering at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and his hotel, eager to catch a glimpse of the GOAT. Messi was escorted directly to the Hyatt Regency Kolkata under tight security.
Accompanying Messi were his Inter Miami teammates, including close friend and strike partner Luis Suárez, along with Rodrigo De Paul. During his Kolkata visit, Messi attended a private meet and greet programme at the hotel and virtually inaugurated a 70 foot tall statue of himself at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum.
Kolkata – Day 1 Key Events:
1:30 AM: Messi arrives in Kolkata
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Private meet-and-greet programme at Hyatt Regency
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Virtual inauguration of Messi statue
11:15 AM – 11:25 AM: Arrival at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium)
11:30 AM: Shah Rukh Khan arrives at the stadium
12:00 PM: CM Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly arrive
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Exhibition match: Mohun Bagan All-Stars vs Diamond Harbour All-Stars
2:00 PM: Departure for Hyderabad
Hyderabad – Day 1 Key Event:
7:00 PM: 7v7 match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, followed by a musical concert
The day marked the start of Messi’s three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025, promising fans an unforgettable experience across Kolkata and Hyderabad with sports, culture, and celebrations.