Akshay Thakur - Thursday, Oct 02, 2025Lionel Messi confirms India trip: Lionel Messi last visited India in 2011. Now, 14 years later, he is returning. He has confirmed his visit himself.
Football legend Lionel Messi will visit India later this year. He has confirmed his visit himself. His last visit was in 2011, marking his return to India after 14 years. Regarding his visit, Messi said that it is an honor to return to a football-loving country like India.
"This visit is a great honor for me. India is a very special country. I have fond memories of my time here 14 years ago. The fans were amazing. India is a country passionate about football. I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans and sharing my love for this beautiful game."
Notably, organizers announced Messi's India tour schedule on August 15th. Messi's statement on Thursday confirmed this. Messi will visit four cities in India. He will first arrive in Kolkata on December 13th, followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The visit will conclude with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15th.
The Argentine superstar will participate in several events during his visit to India. These include concerts, get-togethers, a food festival, a football masterclass, and a padel exhibition at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium.
Messi's performance in Kolkata will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, where the legend will be hosting for the second time. He will be part of the "Goat Concert" and "Goat Cup" on December 13th.
Messi is expected to share the field with Indian sports legends like Sourav Ganguly, Baichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes in the "Goat Cup." Organizers are also planning to unveil a 25-foot-high mural and the largest statue of Messi ever during the Durga Puja festival. Tickets for these events are expected to start at ₹3,500.
