New Delhi: The national capital is set for an extraordinary day as Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi arrives in Delhi at 10:45 a.m., prompting elaborate security arrangements, exclusive engagements, and intense public attention befitting one of global sport’s biggest icons.
Messi, accompanied by his entourage, will be staying at The Leela Palace in Chanakyapuri, where an entire floor has reportedly been reserved solely for him and his team. The Argentine delegation is expected to occupy the hotel’s Presidential Suites, with nightly tariffs ranging between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹7 lakh. Sources indicate that hotel staff have been placed under strict confidentiality instructions to prevent any information about Messi’s stay from being disclosed.
Security arrangements around the luxury hotel have been significantly intensified. Drawing from experiences during Messi’s previous visits to India, authorities have transformed the area into a high-security zone, effectively turning the hotel premises into a tightly guarded enclave. The journey from the airport to Chanakyapuri, expected to take around 30 minutes, will also be closely monitored.
One of the most talked-about elements of the visit is a closed-door “meet and greet” scheduled at the hotel for a select group of corporate leaders and VIP guests. According to media inputs, access to this exclusive interaction has come at a premium, with some corporates reportedly paying as much as ₹1 crore for the opportunity to meet the football legend in person.
During his brief stay in Delhi, Messi is also scheduled to hold meetings with top dignitaries, including the Chief Justice of India and several Members of Parliament. In addition, he is expected to interact with a carefully chosen group of Indian sporting personalities, spanning cricket, Olympic, and Paralympic disciplines.
Messi’s itinerary also includes a visit to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where a football clinic is planned alongside interactions with select Indian cricketers. From there, the Argentine captain will proceed to Purana Qila for a special event hosted by sportswear brand Adidas.
At the historic Old Fort, Messi is expected to meet several of India’s leading sports champions, including Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, Paralympic javelin gold medallist Sumit Antil, boxing world champion Nikhat Zareen, and Olympic high jump silver medallist Nishad Kumar.
The football icon is scheduled to leave his hotel for the airport around 6:15 p.m., with his departure from India planned for approximately 8:00 p.m. His whirlwind Delhi visit, blending global celebrity, sport, and high-level engagement, is set to leave a lasting impression on the city before he moves on to his next destination.