MUMBAI – Football fans across India are in for a treat as global icon Lionel Messi is set to embark on a three-city tour of the country in December 2025. The highlight of the tour will be his visit to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, a date confirmed by officials from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
The visit marks Messi’s second trip to India, his first being in 2011 when he captained the Argentine team in a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata. This time, the 38-year-old World Cup winner will be in India from December 13 to 15, with events scheduled in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi.
Organizers are working on a fascinating and unique plan for his Mumbai visit: a possible charity cricket match against some of India’s biggest cricket stars. While logistics are still being finalized, the prospect of Messi sharing a ground with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma has generated immense excitement. Given that both Tendulkar and Sharma live in Mumbai, their attendance at the event seems highly likely, schedule permitting.
Messi’s itinerary also includes a stop in Kolkata, where he will be felicitated at the historic Eden Gardens. Reports suggest that he will participate in a football workshop for children and launch a football clinic, with a seven-a-side “GOAT Cup” tournament being organized in his honor. The West Bengal Chief Minister is also expected to attend the ceremony.
The December tour comes after an earlier plan for Messi to play a friendly match with the Argentine national team in Kerala in October was deemed unlikely to proceed. The Inter Miami star, who is currently playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), is a global sporting phenomenon with eight Ballon d’Or awards and a World Cup title to his name. His visit to India is not only a boon for football fans but also a unique opportunity to witness a crossover between two of the world’s most popular sports.