August 2, 2025: Indian football fans may soon get their wish, as Lionel Messi is reportedly set to make his first return to the country in over a decade. According to sources, a whirlwind four-city tour has been finalized, which will see the iconic footballer visit Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, culminating in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official announcement from Messi’s social media is expected shortly.
The tour is scheduled to begin with Messi’s arrival in Kolkata on the night of December 12. His stay in the “City of Joy” will be the longest stop on his tour and will include a meet-and-greet, followed by the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of him at Lake Town Sribhumi. At Eden Gardens, a fully ticketed “GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup” event is planned, where Messi will play a seven-a-side soft-ball match with Indian celebrities like Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, and Bhaichung Bhutia.
From Kolkata, Messi is scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation, and then to Mumbai for a “GOAT Cup” at the Wankhede Stadium. Sources clarified that he will not be playing a cricket match, despite media reports. The Mumbai visit is also slated to include an interaction with the Indian national football team. The tour will conclude in New Delhi on December 15 with a meeting with PM Modi and a final “GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup” at Feroz Shah Kotla.
During his visit, Messi will also be conducting “masterclasses” with children in each city to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers. This will be Messi’s second trip to India, his first being in 2011 for an exhibition match in Kolkata that sparked a frenzy among fans.