Salt Lake Stadium visit, unveiling of 70-foot statue: Itinerary of Lionel Messi as he returns to Kolkata after 14 years
Lionel Messi's three-day tour of India will begin in Kolkata on December 13, followed by stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, concluding on December 15.
Football legend Lionel Messi is set to return to India this December after a gap of 14 years. He first visited the country in 2011 when he captained Argentina in a historic friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Messi’s four-city tour of India is scheduled to begin in Kolkata on December 13. According to sources, he will land in Kolkata to kick off GOAT India Tour 2025. After his time in Kolkata, he will travel to Hyderabad, followed by visits to Mumbai and Delhi.
On December 13, Messi will have a packed programme in Kolkata. According to sources, there will be a meet-and-greet programme at a luxury hotel. Following this, he will head to the Salt Lake Stadium, where Bengali movie stars will welcome him during a dance programme. He is also scheduled to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The event will feature a short football match between Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour, during which fans may have the opportunity to witness Messi taking a few shots. Messi is also expected to share the field with Indian sporting icons such as Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia and Leander Paes. The programme will conclude with a grand felicitation ceremony.
The itinerary also includes the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of Messi in Lake Town. However, it has not yet been finalised whether the event will be conducted virtually from the Salt Lake Stadium or if Messi will personally attend the unveiling in Lake Town.
Speaking to The Indian Express, TMC MLA Manoj said, “It’s a wonderful feeling; the Messi fans will be the happiest. This is great news for football lovers. If Messi gets involved at the grassroots level, it will certainly be a significant boost. However, the state government has not been informed, as this event is being organised by a private organisation.”
From Kolkata, Messi will leave for Hyderabad on December 13 in the afternoon. The original schedule included Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi from December 13 to 15, and the organisers, Satadru Dutta Initiative, later added Hyderabad as a new stop.
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On November 27, Messi announced the update through a Facebook post, thanking Indian fans for their overwhelming support. “Thanks for all the love from India! The GOAT tour kicks off in a few weeks’ time! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. See you soon India!” he wrote.
Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni likely to be part of Mumbai event
On December 14, Mumbai will host the ‘Padel GOAT Cup’ on December 14, featuring an exciting array of athletes and entertainers along with Messi. Among those being discussed for the celebrity lineup are Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni, and several other prominent Bollywood stars.
The tour will conclude in Delhi on December 15, where Messi is reportedly likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The capital will host the final leg of celebrations, rounding off a three-day itinerary.
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Messi’s tour across four cities, covering the east, south, west, and north, represents one of the most extensive celebrity sporting visits that the country has ever hosted. For millions of Indian football fans, his arrival in December is more than just a tour; it symbolises the return of a global icon to a nation where his legacy has steadily grown since his first visit in 2011.
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
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State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
