GOAT India tour 2025: Lionel Messi virtually unveils 70-foot statue in Kolkata, meets SRK - WATCH
Football icon Lionel Messi unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata and also met Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
New Delhi: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, and also met Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is in India for a three-day tour, where he will visit four cities - Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
He landed in the City of Joy at midnight on December 13 and unveiled his statue alongside West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. He also clicked a photo with Shah Rukh's youngest son, Abram Khan.
Messi played a football match in Kolkata in 2010, leading his side to a 1-0 victory against Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly. That appearance remains one of the memorable moments for football fans in India.
Messi presented with special Mohun Bagan jersey at Salt Lake Stadium
Lionel Messi has been presented with a special Mohun Bagan jersey bearing his name and the iconic No. 10. He posed for pictures with a smile and strolled across the Salt Lake Stadium turf, soaking in a historic reception.
The former Barcelona player also met with Businessman Sanjiv Goenka, who credited Messi for his humility. Goenka is also the owner of India's oldest football club team, Mohun Bagan, and IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants.
He will depart for Hyderabad later in the day, as part of a tightly scheduled GOAT tour. His itinerary in Kolkata also includes meetings with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Remaining schedule of GOAT India tour
December 13, Hyderabad
7:00 PM: 7v7 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium featuring Lionel Messi, followed by a musical concert
December 14, Mumbai
3:30 PM: Participation in the Padel Cup at the Cricket Club of India
4:00 PM: Celebrity football match
5:00 PM: Event at Wankhede Stadium, followed by a charity fashion show
December 15, New Delhi
Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
1:30 PM: Event at Arun Jaitley Stadium, including the felicitation of Minerva Academy players