Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour in India was more than just a visit. It was a rollercoaster ride that saw many faces of the country. The tour across four cities swung like a pendulum, hovering between disappointment, delight, missteps and moments that were truly special.
It was an opportunity for the fans to see live and live one of the best football players. It became an opportunity for organizers and political leaders to improve their optics. It was a short and intense visit filled with overwhelming affection for Messi, even if things didn’t always go to plan.
Each city told a different story. Together they created a tour that will be remembered as much for its contrasts as for the presence of the GOAT himself.
Kolkata: Chaos in India’s football mecca
Kolkata, often regarded as the football mecca of India, was to be the opener of Lionel Messi’s blockbuster GOAT India Tour. Instead, a city that has lived and breathed football for generations they witnessed a shocking spectacle that left fans angry and heartbroken.
Thousands of supporters packed the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, many paying Rs 4,500 and above for tickets. For some, it meant months of savings. For others, it meant traveling long distances. They came hoping to see the legendary Argentine up close rather than on a television screen. But what followed was confusion.
Messi took to the field, but it didn’t take long for it to freeze for a while. He immediately surrounded himself with politicians, officials, celebrities, their families and photographers. The space disappeared within seconds. Security tried to match. The planned wedge of land never happened. Within minutes, Messi was led away.
His time on the field lasted under ten minutes.
As the realization sunk in, frustration spread throughout the stands. Fans who waited for hours felt cheated. Bottles were thrown. Posters were damaged. Security personnel rushed in as protests erupted at the stadium. Videos of the riots flooded social media, replacing the excitement that surrounded Messi’s arrival that day.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Angry fans threw bottles and chairs from the stands at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata
Star footballer Lionel Messi has left the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Further details were awaited. pic.twitter.com/mcxi6YROyr— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
The anger was deeper because of where it happened. In a city that prides itself on its soccer culture, fans felt ignored and sidelined. Many openly questioned why they were even invited when access seemed to be reserved for VVIPs.
Earlier, Kolkata gave Messi a warm welcome. He arrived after midnight on December 13, greeted by fans outside the airport. That excitement carried through the day only to collapse at night.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later publicly apologized and announced an investigation. The tour organizer was detained. A refund was promised. A political blame game ensued.
But none of that changed one truth. The fans lost. In the Indian football heartland, the tour began with disappointment and national embarrassment.
Hyderabad: A fresh start with a focus on football
After the chaos that ensued in Calcutta, the Hyderabad leg felt like a reset.
The fans arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with moderate expectations. They didn’t ask for perfection. They wanted visibility, order and respect. This time they succeeded.
The movement of the crowd was controlled. The views were clear. The atmosphere was calm and planned.
The program started with a friendly match by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. His enthusiasm was evident, even if his football skills were not. Clips of his misplaced passes during a soccer match with Messi went viral and soccer fans poked fun at the internet. Reddy took it in stride and didn’t try to steal the show.
What he did next was more important. Unlike Calcutta, he ensured that Messi was not overcrowded. At one point he asked people to move away so the fans could see clearly. This simple act earned praise and set the tone for the evening.
When Messi arrived with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, the stadium erupted. The difference was immediate. Messi was not engulfed by VIPs or layers of security. Fans enjoyed an unobstructed view as he entered the pitch with a smile.
What followed were the moments fans were hoping for. Light kicks, interaction with children, more rounds on the ground and kicks kicked into the stands. Messi took his time to acknowledge the fans and soak up the atmosphere.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present and struck a different note. He stayed in the background and let the kids share the spotlight with Messi. When Messi later presented him with an Argentina shirt, it felt more like a footnote than a headline.
Messi spoke briefly to the crowd and thanked the fans for their love. Applause echoed from the crowd that was finally heard.
Hyderabad didn’t wipe out Kolkata but they steadied the tour. It turns out that when egos are put aside, even a tightly planned event can be genuine.
Mumbai: Emotion, order and the night that worked
If Hyderabad endured the tour, Mumbai lifted it.
The event on December 14 at the Wankhede Stadium looked like it all came together. The organization was sharp. The fans were disciplined. The mood was joyful.
There were no messy scenes. Messi had space. He moved freely. The event flowed naturally.
One of the most emotional topics was Sunil Chhetri. The former Indian captain, who recently retired from international football nursing an injury, still made an appearance. The crowd responded instinctively, chanting his name with warmth and pride.
Messi spent time with Chhetri and swapped jerseys with him. It was a quiet but powerful moment. Two footballers from different worlds recognize each other.
Mumbai also provided one of the unforgettable images of the tour. Lionel Messi and Sachin Tendulkar stand together at the Wankhede. Two icons from different sports sharing the same stage created a roar that felt historic.
Messi played with children, took part in a friendly penalty shoot-out and interacted with youngsters from Project Mahadeva, a five-year state-backed grassroots football initiative launched in Mumbai to identify and train 60 young boys and girls through a structured scouting and scholarship program aimed at developing future international players. Suarez and De Paul chipped in and kept things calm. Suarez, who received the nutmeg, drew laughter and cheers.
A brief interruption followed as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the crowd and faced boos. Quickly sensing the mood, he used a familiar chant and restored his composure.
Mumbai showed what a tour could be when the evening was guided by planning, restraint and respect.
Delhi: A delayed arrival, a brief spell and a fitting farewell
The last leg in Delhi started with uncertainty. Fog delayed Messi’s flight from Mumbai, pushing his arrival to midday. The schedule has shortened.
Fans were waiting anyway.
When Messi arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, he only had about 30 minutes to do so. It didn’t matter.
The stands were full. The chants were loud. Argentina jerseys were everywhere.
Messi left with a smile. He waved freely. He gripped the ground. He kicked balls into the stands with Suarez and De Paul as the confetti fell. He briefly played with the children and congratulated the Minerva Academy team.
Then he spoke.
He thanked the fans in Spanish, described the visit as short but intense and promised to return one day. Most didn’t understand the words, but everyone understood the feeling.
Jay Shah presented Messi with a ticket for India’s 2026 FIFA World Cup T20 opener, the Indian cricket team’s number 10 jersey. Suarez and De Paul also received jerseys. Rekha Gupta’s arrival sparked chants of AQI, a reminder that crowds in Delhi always speak their minds.
Video of the day.
Delhiites started chanting AQI – AQI as soon as CM Rekha Gupta came on stage with Messi
Fadnavis was booed in Mumbai yesterday
Rekha Gupta shows off her place in Delhi
Not a good week for the BJP.
pic.twitter.com/E24OKXPEus— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) December 15, 2025
Fans waited almost five hours for Messi’s minutes. Disappointment gave way to quiet fulfillment as they left. It was enough to see Messi live.
The Delhi leg gave the tour what it needed most. Closure.
A missed football moment amidst the familiar shadow of cricket
For all the emotion and spectacle, the tour also raised an uncomfortable question.
In a country where football struggles for structure and stability, Messi’s visit was a rare opportunity to put the sport firmly at the centre. Instead, cricket once again found a way to share and at times dominate the story.
From token jersey changes to the presence of cricketing icons and administrators at the center of the action, several moments felt more like crossover events than first-time football events. The cricket ecosystem remains so strong that it naturally attracts attention even during a football icon’s visit.
There were glimpses of what might have been. Interaction with children. Academy of Recognition. Basic symbolism. But too often the football felt secondary to the optics.
The fans did their thing. The stadiums were full. The passion was real. What I lacked at times was intention.
Messi didn’t need a shared spotlight. His presence alone was strong enough.
A tour remembered for its contrasts
Lionel Messi’s India tour will be remembered for many things. For chaos and redemption. For joy and frustration. For the moments that hurt and for the moments that healed.
It wasn’t perfect. And in a country starved for footballing moments like these, even the fleeting magic left a lasting mark.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
December 15, 2025
