It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago — the fans were fantastic. India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game,” Messi said in his official statement.

Why this is big news for Indian football fans?

India has a huge number of football fans and Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time. People will love to watch their idol in India. Indian football is growing, and this visit will boost the confidence of young players and increase awareness about football in the country. Lionel Messi is coming to India after 14 years — his last visit was in 2011.

Messi has confirmed his participation in the GOAT Tour 2025. In this tour, Messi will visit different cities. Messi’s statement about the tour: “It will be a pleasure to attend concerts, youth football clinics, a paddle cup and launch charitable initiatives during events at iconic stadiums in Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and maybe one more city”

On 13 December, Messi will attend an event at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. He will meet Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes. A masterclass for young NGO kids on the field by Messi is also planned.

In Mumbai, Messi will attend the “Pedal GOAT Cup” where he will meet Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and a few other Bollywood stars.

Messi will end his tour by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15 in New Delhi.

Where to get tickets?

You can buy tickets from the Zomato District App. For Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi events, ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, 8 October, at 12:00 PM. The duration of the events will be 2:30 to 3:00 hours.

Offers :

HSBC Pre-sale and Discount: The HSBC discount offers 10% off, up to ₹1,500 on a minimum transaction value of ₹8,000. This offer is available exclusively to HSBC customers.

Earlier, The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that they will come to India for a friendly match in November 2025. The visit is scheduled from 10 to 18 November. The friendly match will take place in Kerala. The opponent has not been confirmed yet.