Football great Lionel Messi will begin the last leg of his G.O.A.T India tour today in Delhi, after concluding the visit in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The Argentina football legend has been in the country for the past two days along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
The grand event will take place in the Arun Jaitley stadium, where preparations have been made for his welcome as fans eagerly wait to see Messi.
His schedule in the national capital is heavily packed with a number of programmes and meetings, including exhibition game. He was earlier expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. However, the PM has left for his 3-nation tour and the meet up is unlikely to happen. His entire programme at the ground is scheduled for 1 pm to 4 pm.
Lionel Messi’s Delhi itinerary
The gates of the Arun Jaitley stadium will open at 11:30. The media personnel must enter through Gate No. 6. All attendees must be seated before the commencement of the programme at 2:30 PM. The event will begin at 2:30 PM with welcome music and will continue with a celebrity football match at 2:50 PM, reported IANS.
Thereafter, Messi is likely to take part in the celebrity match at 3:30 PM and a football clinic for 30 children at 3:45 PM.
This will be followed by a stage ceremony at 4.20 pm, which will also feature the GOAT Cup exhibition match. Cricket legend Virat Kohli will also be in attendance during this event.
After concluding the public event, Messi will have private meet-and-greet at around 4.30 pm. According to the tentative agenda, the report mentioned, the interaction is expected with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Justice of India, underscoring the high-profile nature of the visit.
Delhi police steps up security
In view of the grand event, the Delhi Police has beefed up security in the central parts of the national capital and set up traffic restrictions. The measures have been tightened especially after the ruckus that happened in Kolkata.
The Argentine legend is scheduled to attend an event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday between 1 pm and 4 pm. He kicked off the tour in Kolkata, which turned chaotic. However, the 2022 World Cup champion’s Hyderabad and Mumbai visit went on smoothly.
In light of the event, the Delhi Traffic Police has implemented traffic restrictions throughout Central Delhi on Monday from 12:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and parking around Arun Jaitley Stadium is prohibited (with towing/penalties enforced).
