Football fans in India are in for a treat as Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, is set to visit India this December. The Argentine star will tour Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi from December 13 to 15, marking his first trip to India in over a decade.

Messi’s tour is likely to start in Kolkata, where he will be felicitated at Eden Gardens by West Bengal Chief Minister. Plans include a ‘GOAT Cup’ seven-a-side football match, a youth workshop, and the launch of a football clinic to boost grassroots talent.

On December 14, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will host the celebration, confirmed by the Mumbai Cricket Association after granting permission to organisers Wizcraft. The event is expected to feature Indian cricketing legends MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, with reports suggesting Messi may even pick up a bat in a seven-a-side cricket match. 

The final stop will be Delhi, where another celebratory event will cap off Messi’s whirlwind three-city tour. Details of the Delhi schedule are yet to be finalised.

Messi last played on Indian soil in 2011, when Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. This December’s visit is expected to eclipse that historic moment, with fans eager to see the World Cup-winning captain once again.

While Messi’s promotional tour is confirmed, there’s also buzz about the Argentina national team potentially playing a friendly in Kerala’s Greenfield Stadium in 2025. Discussions are ongoing, though scheduling and funding hurdles remain.