‘Messi is my God in football’: Argentina legend to conduct clinic for budding players in Mumbai today

The grassroots programme, which is supported by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, targets Under-13 boys and girls and is driven by a strong long-term ambition: To prepare India to qualify for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and for Maharashtra to contribute at least five players to the national squad.

Lionel Messi India GOAT Tour Live Updates

The selected children are enrolled in a five-year full scholarship programme that provides professional coaching, academic support, equipment, residential facilities when required, performance tracking, nutrition, physiotherapy, and mental conditioning. For many months, trained scouts travelled the length and breadth of Maharashtra — from major cities to smaller and aspiring districts such as Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv, and Chandrapur — to ensure the football potential from every corner of the state was tapped.

Expectedly, there is excitement among the chosen kids about getting a chance to meet and spend some time with their favourite star.

“I’m really excited because this is the biggest opportunity for all of us. It’s a chance to grow and to stay at Kharghar for five years. I’m very thankful for that,” Shrusti Singh, a 13-year-old from Nagpur who is among the selected girls, told The Indian Express.

“Messi is my God in football. I started playing football because of him and I have been watching him since I was little. So, I really enjoy watching him and what I am looking forward to is absolutely everything about being on the field with Messi. That is a dream come true for me,” said Prisha Patel, a 13-year-old from Mumbai.

In preparation for meeting the football legend, the children have even begun learning basic Spanish in hopes of interacting with Messi.

“They’re learning Spanish. They’re trying to go on the side of the Spanish, so it’s the girls over here. Hola (Hi in Spanish), senor (sir in Spanish). They’re learning a few things,” Jeddy Almeida, Technical Head of Project Mahadeva for girls, told The Indian Express.

While the excitement is evident, the organisers have also prepared the children for the overwhelming nature of the moment. Almeida says they were advised to respect Messi’s personal space.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link is seen as it has been illuminated depicting a photograph of footballer Lionel Messi. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

“Whatever time they get to spend, that’s the most critical aspect. One of the best parts that the children have learned is that, however big the personality may be, and how much you will love them, there’s something called personal space.”

“They won’t run and ask for autographs or photos or anything. They want to grasp that experience of knowing that this is going to be aired on TV, and they can watch it again. So they know that they will get their memories back,” he added.

Messi is expected to arrive at the Wankhede at around 5 pm, where he will witness a 7v7 Bollywood celebrities match. The ticket rates for this event have ranged from Rs 8,850 to Rs 14,750.

Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri will be in Mumbai and is expected to meet Messi. Among other star names set to feature in the Mumbai leg are cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, John Abraham, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jackie Shroff.

The World Cup-winner is expected to feature in a 45-minute charity fashion show on Sunday night, with his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.