The excitement surrounding the Messi India visit in December 2025 created an unprecedented buzz, marking a golden chapter in Indian sports history. After the legendary 2011 tour, LM10 returned to Indian soil after 14 long years, reigniting the love of millions.
Lionel Messi and India: A Timeless Love Story
Although India is primarily a cricket-crazy nation, the passion for football among Bengalis and people from South India is world-famous. After Diego Maradona, if there is one footballer who managed to divide this country emotionally through football, it is Lionel Messi. From mid-2025, reports began emerging that Messi might visit India once again. After long and persistent efforts by the Kerala government and several private organizations, the initiative finally succeeded. Branded as the “GOAT India Tour 2025,” this journey marked the much-anticipated Messi India Visit, which was not just a football event but a reunion between India and one of the greatest stars in world football.
Turning Back the Pages of Memory: The Magical Kolkata Visit of 2011
Before talking about the 2026 tour, it is impossible to forget the historic moment of 2011. On 2 September 2011, the city of Kolkata was dressed in blue and white. At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Argentina faced Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly match. It was during this match that the people of Kolkata witnessed Messi’s dribbling and the magic of his left foot for the very first time.
Argentina won the match 1–0, with Nicolás Otamendi scoring a header from Messi’s corner kick. The roar of nearly 85,000 spectators in the stands of the stadium still echoes in the ears of football lovers today. That visit was purely focused on competitive football, whereas the recent Messi India Visit in 2025 was somewhat different—more grand, more ceremonial, and far more diverse.
1. Did Messi Take Money for This Visit?
Yes, absolutely. Lionel Messi is not just a footballer; he is a global brand. His time, presence, and security carry a specific market value. For tours of this nature, Messi or his management company (such as Leo Messi Management) charges a significant appearance fee. This is a standard professional practice for a global sports icon, especially during a high-profile Messi India Visit.
2. Who Pays This Money?
Usually, neither the government nor the general public pays this amount directly. The funding mainly comes from three sources:
- Private Sponsors:
Large corporations (such as Tata, Reliance, or global brands associated with Messi) bear most of the expenses. Associating their brand with Messi gives them massive promotional value. - Event Organizers:
The organizers of the event (such as the Kerala government or a designated agency) plan to recover costs through ticket sales and broadcasting rights. - Government Support:
In some cases, the government allocates limited funds to promote tourism, but the majority of the cost comes from sponsorships.
3. How Much Does It Cost Approximately?
The exact amount remains confidential due to contractual agreements. However, football experts estimate that bringing a player like Messi to India for two to three days can cost between ₹20 crore and ₹50 crore or even more. This includes:
- Messi’s personal appearance fee
- Expenses for his large security team
- Private jet travel and luxury five-star hotel arrangements
4. Is It Only About Business?
This is where the real twist lies. While the money Messi receives is purely professional, several important aspects must be considered:
- Charity:
Messi donates a significant portion of his income through the Leo Messi Foundation to support underprivileged children. During the Messi India Visit, he also participated in multiple charity programs where he did not take personal fees and instead contributed financially. - Growth of Football:
His visit creates a massive surge of interest in football across India, opening doors to investments worth hundreds of crores in grassroots development.
5. Rumor or Reality?
Some people believe Messi visits countries only for money, but that perception is not entirely accurate. If money were his only motivation, he could spend more time in countries like Saudi Arabia or the United States. His visit to India is driven by his respect for Indian fans and FIFA’s broader plan to globalize football through iconic figures like him.
In Short:
The answer to whether Messi took money for visiting India is yes. However, this payment was not taken in any unethical way; rather, it was part of an international commercial agreement. The benefits for India were far greater—enhancing the country’s global image, boosting tourism, and inspiring the younger generation to develop a deeper love for football.
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The Royal Return of 2025: “GOAT India Tour”
From 13 to 15 December 2025, India was completely immersed in Messi fever. During this tour, Messi was accompanied by his longtime teammate and close friend Luis Suárez, along with Rodrigo De Paul. The primary objectives of this visit were to promote football in India, support charity initiatives, and carry out selected commercial activities. The tour was planned across four major cities: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
Kolkata Chapter: Madness, Glamour, and Controversy (13 December)
When Messi’s special aircraft landed at Dum Dum Airport early in the morning on 13 December, the sky echoed with chants of “Messi, Messi” from thousands of fans. However, the real spectacle awaited at a five-star hotel in the city and at the grand reception ceremony that followed.
1. A Warm Welcome by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Keeping Kolkata’s rich heritage in mind, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally arrived to welcome Lionel Messi. She presented him with the traditional Bengali “Biswa Bangla” memento and draped a blue-and-white silk stole over his shoulders. The Chief Minister also requested Messi to consider associating himself with a small football academy or training camp in Bengal in the future to support grassroots development. With Mamata Banerjee’s presence, the event transformed from a private engagement into a semi-official occasion during the Messi India Visit.
2. “King Khan” Shah Rukh Khan and Messi: A Historic Moment
Bollywood superstar and Kolkata’s brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) flew in from Mumbai on a special flight to welcome Messi. When Shah Rukh Khan and Messi embraced each other in the hotel ballroom, the moment instantly went viral on the internet. The contrast between Shah Rukh’s magnetic charisma and Messi’s calm personality created an unforgettable atmosphere. Jokingly, Shah Rukh said to Messi, “You are the only king in Kolkata; I am just your fan.” When these two global icons appeared in a single frame, fan excitement reached uncontrollable levels.
3. A Galaxy of Tollywood Stars
Nearly all major Tollywood celebrities gathered to catch a glimpse of Messi and take photos with him. Bengali superstars Dev and Prosenjit Chatterjee (Bumbada) presented special gifts to Messi on behalf of Bengal. Other notable attendees included Rukmini Maitra, Mimi Chakraborty, Subhashree Ganguly, and Abir Chatterjee.
Dev’s reaction:
Dev wrote on social media, “Seeing the god of football with my own eyes is a priceless experience.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi%27s_2025_India_Tour
Several Tollywood actresses rushed to take selfies with Messi, which led to brief moments of disorder. The presence of Bengal’s entertainment industry clearly proved that Messi is not just a footballer but a true cultural icon.
75-Foot Statue Unveiling
A massive 75-foot-tall statue of Messi was installed at Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. Due to tight security and overwhelming crowds, Messi could not visit the location in person but virtually unveiled the statue from his hotel during the Messi India Visit.
4. Chaos and Controversy
Messi India Visit Despite the grandeur and glamour, several negative incidents occurred. When Messi was taken to the Salt Lake Stadium, security barriers were breached as VIPs and relatives of political figures entered the field. Some junior Tollywood artists and family members of influential individuals got dangerously close to Messi, causing dissatisfaction among his personal security team.
Due to excessive crowd pressure, Messi India Visit could stay at the venue for only 15–20 minutes and had to leave without performing any football drills. Many ordinary fans, who had waited overnight in the stands, left the stadium in tears after failing to catch even a glimpse of him. This mismanagement later sparked widespread criticism on social media.
2. Hyderabad Chapter: Where Football Meets Politics (13 December, Evening)
Messi flew directly from Kolkata to Hyderabad. A 7-a-side (7v7) football match was organized at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium as part of the Messi India Visit.
Rahul Gandhi and CM Revanth Reddy:
Present at the event were Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Messi gifted Rahul Gandhi a signed No. 10 jersey, and the two were seen posing together for photographs. The Hyderabad event was notably well-organized and disciplined, standing out for its smooth execution during the Messi India Visit.
3. Mumbai Chapter: The Iconic Sachin–Messi Moment (14 December)
Mumbai represents glamour and cricket, and the event at Wankhede Stadium produced a truly historic frame.
Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi:
When the god of cricket and the magician of football stood together on one stage, the entire Wankhede Stadium fell silent in awe. Sachin Tendulkar presented Messi with a signed Team India jersey, while Messi gifted Sachin the iconic blue-and-white Argentina jersey. Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri was also present at the event.
Project Mahadev:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched “Project Mahadev” from the same stage, an initiative aimed at training young Indian footballers for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Charity Fashion Show:
In the evening, Messi, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul walked the ramp at a grand charity fashion show. The funds raised from this event were donated to support the development of football among underprivileged children in India.
4. Delhi Chapter: Meeting with the Prime Minister (15 December)
On the final day of the tour, Messi arrived in Delhi, the capital of India. This phase of the journey marked a significant moment in the Messi India Visit, highlighting its national importance.
Meeting with Narendra Modi:
Messi held an extended meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to reports, they discussed the future of sports in India, with a special focus on the development of football. This high-profile interaction further elevated the significance of the Messi India Visit.
Encouraging Young Talent:
At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Messi spent time with emerging young footballers from India and personally handed over trophies to them. Later in the day, he also paid courtesy visits to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Justice of India, making the Delhi chapter one of the most impactful moments of the Messi India Visit.
Why Did Messi Come to India? (Purpose and Impact)
Many people may wonder why Messi chose this particular time to visit India. There were several key reasons behind this decision.
Expansion of Football:
India is currently one of the world’s largest emerging markets. Both FIFA and Messi personally are keen on promoting football in India and expanding its global footprint through initiatives like the Messi India Visit.
Charity and Social Welfare:
A major part of this tour focused on charitable activities. Through auctions of Messi’s jerseys and memorabilia, crores of rupees were raised to support football academies across India.
Respect for Indian Fans and Kerala:
After witnessing the immense passion of Indian fans during and after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory—both at the Qatar stadiums and on social media—Messi decided to visit India as a gesture of gratitude.
Criticism and Achievements
The tour also sparked some criticism. Former Indian footballers such as Gautam Sarkar and Subrata Bhattacharya argued that such “handshake visits” or promotion-driven tours may not significantly improve Indian football. According to them, legends like Pelé and Maradona spent more time actively playing on the field during their visits, whereas Messi’s tour was largely brand-oriented.
However, there is another side to the story. When a global superstar like Messi steps onto Indian soil, millions of children begin dreaming of becoming footballers. His presence attracts corporate sponsors to invest in grassroots football, infrastructure, and youth development across the country.
Conclusion
Messi’s India tour in 2025 was nothing short of a modern fairytale. Chaos, controversy, excitement, and emotion—all combined to turn these three days into a period when India stood at the center of world football. Iconic moments such as Sachin Tendulkar embracing Messi or Rahul Gandhi receiving Messi’s signed jersey will remain etched forever in the hearts of Indians.
India may not yet be certain of its World Cup future, but the Messi India Visit proved one undeniable truth—football is a part of India’s soul. Even after the football magician left, he gifted the nation countless dreams and the love of millions.
