New Delhi, Dec 17 : Argentina football icon Lionel Messi expressed heartfelt thanks to India after the conclusion of his ‘GOAT India Tour’, which saw unprecedented fan excitement, memorable on field moments, and viral fan interactions across four cities.
Messi visited Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, and concluded his tour with a stop in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where he explored Vantara, a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani.
Taking to Instagram, Messi wrote:
“Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India!”
Highlights from the Tour
Delhi Finale: Messi met ICC Chairman Jay Shah, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, alongside teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. Shah presented the trio with Indian cricket team jerseys (Messi: #10, Suarez: #9, De Paul: #7) and a special autographed cricket bat to commemorate the fusion of football and cricket cultures. Messi was also invited to the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Kolkata Chaos: Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium drew an overwhelming crowd, leading to crowd frenzy and bottle-throwing incidents after he left early, highlighting the superstar’s immense popularity in the City of Joy.
Hyderabad Exhibition: Messi participated in a 7 on 7 football match with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, engaging with fans and political figures, including Rahul Gandhi.
Mumbai Show: At Wankhede Stadium, Messi, Suarez, and De Paul played a friendly football match with Indian stars including Sunil Chhetri and Tiger Shroff. Former cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar presented Messi with a Team India jersey, creating a historic moment of cricket-football camaraderie.
Throughout the tour, Messi engaged with fans, shared hugs with football icons, and participated in on-field kickabouts, leaving a lasting impression on India’s football and sports enthusiasts.
The GOAT India Tour concluded with Messi expressing his gratitude for the warm reception, hospitality, and immense love from fans across the country, inspiring a new wave of excitement around football in India.