Lionel Messi is set to visit India on December 13 (tomorrow) after 14 years. The Argentine legend’s India visit comes as a part of a first-of-its-kind mega tour. Messi’s ‘GOAT India’ tour will take him across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Similar to his last visit, Messi will land in Kolkata tomorrow with his teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. As numbers of football fans across the breadth of Kolkata anticipate the arrival of one of the most successful and celebrated footballers of all time, spectators have already started to gather around the site for the unveiling of the largest statue of Messi.
Messi GOAT India tour: A look at the statue
A giant structure of 70 feet in height, depicts Messi’s latest triumph in international football, which is winning the FIFA World Cup trophy. The Argentine skipper had chased the distinguished trophy for the majority of his sporting career and finally achieved it in 2022. Following this accomplishment even the sport stalwart’s critics had started referring to the Argentine player as one of the greatest to have ever played the game.
Built in just 40 days, the statue awaits a virtual inauguration by the World Cup winning capital himself, with organisers giving it final touches ahead of the footballer’s visit. Interestingly though, ahead of the footballer’s much anticipated visit, his statue has been trolled by netizens citing height based inaccuracy
Messi is set to a virtual unveiling of the statue from his team hotel at around 10:30 AM. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the soccer star was asked to do an e-inauguration from his hotel by officials citing security concerns. A 25 ft x 20 ft Messi mural, created for the upcoming Durga Puja season, will also be unveiled the same day.
Messi GOAT India tour: Schedule, security and events ahead
Following the inauguration of the statue, Messi will then proceed to the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, the same venue where he played his last match in India, a friendly against Venezuela.
When Messi arrives in India for the GOAT India Tour 2025, he will move under an exceptionally tight security blanket. Argentina’s world cup winning captain is set to receive Z-category protection, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) overseeing his movements and a green channel ensuring uninterrupted transit across the city.
The GOAT tour will start on December 13 in Kolkata, followed by an evening visit to Hyderabad on the same day. Following his trip to Hyderabad, the football icon will be in Mumbai the next day, before concluding the tour in New Delhi on Monday, where the World Cup winner is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.