New Delhi: Indian football enthusiasts are poised for an exhilarating end to the year, as reports indicate that legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi is slated for a high-profile visit to India in December 2025. The tour, scheduled from December 13 to 15, will reportedly see the global icon grace three major cities: Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi, participating in a series of events celebrating his illustrious career and commitment to the sport. Significantly, while a separate friendly match involving the Argentina national team in Kerala is still on the cards for October, Messi's December solo tour does not include the southern state.
According to reports, Messi's December itinerary is packed with high-profile engagements. In Kolkata, the football maestro is expected to be felicitated at the iconic Eden Gardens, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee potentially in attendance. His visit to the 'City of Joy' will also reportedly feature a football workshop for children and the launch of a football clinic, alongside a seven-a-side "GOAT Cup" tournament organized in his honor.
The tour will then move to the nation's capital, Delhi, where Messi is anticipated to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Potential venues for his engagements include the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. The final stop, Mumbai, will host Messi at the historic Brabourne Stadium for a special event, with a highly anticipated meeting with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar reportedly on the agenda. Both Delhi and Mumbai are also expected to feature workshops and youth engagement sessions, fostering grassroots football development.
It is crucial to note that this high-profile December tour is distinct from earlier arrangements for the Argentina national team, led by Messi, to play an international friendly match in Kerala. Kerala's Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman had recently confirmed that the October friendly, despite prior speculation about its cancellation due to sponsorship issues, is back on track, with the sponsor having reportedly fulfilled their financial commitments. While the opponent and exact venue for the Kerala match are yet to be officially confirmed, it is expected to be a significant event for the football-crazy state. However, Messi's personal December tour appears to be a separate venture, focusing on celebrity appearances and promotional activities rather than a full team fixture.
This will not be Messi's inaugural visit to India. Back in September 2011, a then 24-year-old Messi captained Argentina for the first time in a friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, a match Argentina won 1-0, creating a memorable night for Indian football aficionados. With both the Argentina team's friendly in October and Messi's solo tour in December, Indian fans are eagerly anticipating a football-filled few months, celebrating the presence of one of the sport's greatest legends on Indian soil.