Kolkata, India : Argentine football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday, launching his much-anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025 and triggering scenes of euphoria among thousands of fans who gathered to welcome the global superstar.
Messi landed at the Kolkata airport at approximately 2:26 a.m., yet the late-night timing did little to dampen the enthusiasm of supporters who braved the winter cold to catch a glimpse of the former Barcelona legend. Chants, banners, and flashing phone lights transformed the airport area into a celebration worthy of one of football’s greatest-ever players.
The four-city tour, spread across three days, includes fan interaction events, promotional appearances, and football-themed engagements in Kolkata and other major Indian cities. Organizers described the visit as one of the most significant football-related events ever hosted in the country.
Widely regarded as the “Greatest of All Time (GOAT)”, Messi’s India visit comes amid global celebrations of his historic career, highlighted by multiple Ballon d’Or titles and Argentina’s FIFA World Cup triumph. His presence underscores India’s rapidly growing football culture and the sport’s expanding fan base beyond traditional cricket dominance.
Local authorities and event organizers have put extensive security and logistical arrangements in place as Messi continues his tour, with massive crowds expected at upcoming appearances.
