The legendary Argentine arrived in the early morning hours of this Saturday in the Indian city of Kolkata as part of the “GOAT Tour 2025” tour.
Already at the airport, it was clear that India was not waiting for an ordinary visit, but a real spectacle that is seen only when the greatest in the history of sports come.
In front of the airport, but also along the entire route to the hotel, thousands of fans gathered, patiently waiting to see their idol at least for a moment.
Argentine flags, number 10 jerseys and banners dedicated to Messi dominated the crowd, while his name was constantly chanted.
RANT ALERT!
Messi’s GOAT INDIA TOUR in Kolkata was an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE & A TOTAL SCAM.
The event was supposed to have
1. Felicitation of Lionel Messi
2. Exhibition Match with celebrities
3.Lionel Messi masterclass with young talents
4.Lionel Messi penalty shootoutsBut… https://t.co/A30t2HJtQy pic.twitter.com/yeJTDTW5uP
— Dipayan Ray (@geekedout__) December 13, 2025
The convoy of vehicles carrying Messi left the airport under heavy security, but that didn’t stop fans from singing, dancing and cheering on the Argentine ace.
It was especially striking that the crowd was not only home fans.
Football lovers from neighboring countries also arrived in Kolkata, and some traveled hundreds of kilometers just to witness this moment.
One fan from Nepal did not hide his emotions, emphasizing how much Messi’s arrival means to him.
“This is one of my dreams, just to see Messi. We used to watch him play, wake up late at night and skip commitments, and now I’m here in India. I feel great,” said the delighted fan.
The arrival at the hotel was not peaceful either. Large crowds of fans gathered again in front of the building, and flags with messages of support and symbols of local Messi fan clubs were waving.
The euphoria continued later, when Messi appeared at the Salt Lake Stadium in front of as many as 110,000 spectators, which further ignited the atmosphere.
However, the residents of Kolkata have prepared a special surprise for Messi that left those who are already used to big gestures breathless.
At the first stop of his tour, an impressive statue of Lionel Messi, as high as 21 meters, was unveiled.
The statue depicts the Argentine ace holding the World Cup trophy, a symbol of the greatest success of his career.
The ceremonial unveiling of the statue caused new ovations and further confirmed Messi’s status as a global icon.
Messi’s tour of India will last for three days and Kolkata is just the beginning of his Indian adventure. According to the plan, the Argentine ace will visit a total of four big cities, among them Kolkata and Mumbai.
Announcements also say that during his stay in India, Messi should meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. His arrival once again showed that Lionel Messi is not just a player, but a phenomenon that erases borders, cultures and continents.
India welcomed it as only it knows how – en masse, emotionally and without reservation.
(Vijesti.ba)
