Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi barely had a chance to impress in Kolkata when he arrived on his GOAT Tour. From his first step at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, the Argentine icon was engulfed by layers of police and military security and moved through the terminal as a visiting head of state. Cameras followed every move, fans craned their necks and the atmosphere was instantly larger than life.
Just a few meters away, the mood could not have been more different. Luis Suarez, Messi’s long-time partner on and off the pitch, was spotted walking through the same airport with his hands casually tucked in his pockets. No security swarm, no tight cordon, just a leisurely stroll that quickly became social media gold. A viral video summed it up perfectly: Messi under heavy guard, Suarez enjoying a quiet welcome in Kolkata, while fellow Inter Miami player Rodrigo De Paul also moved with minimal fuss.
Watch the video:
Messi is in India from December 13 to 15 on a packed tour that stretches across four cities. He is coming off another career milestone when he led Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer title earlier this week, a feat that marked the 48th trophy of his remarkable career. Promoted by Satadru Dutta, the tour includes Suarez, Messi’s former strike partner at Barcelona, and FIFA World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, adding further star power to the visit.
Kolkata serves as the opening stop on Messi’s whirlwind schedule. They are expected to arrive at the Salt Lake Stadium around 11:30 am before leaving for Hyderabad later in the day. During his time in the city, Messi is also set to virtually unveil a 70-metre statue installed near the clock tower in Sribhumi, Lake Town, celebrating his influence on the sport.
His Calcutta itinerary goes beyond football. Meetings are scheduled with former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while a meeting with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is also in the game, the actor is already in town with his sons.
For Messi, the visit is also a return to familiar ground. He last played in Kolkata in 2011, leading Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly. More than a decade later, his comeback fueled nostalgia, even as a light-hearted moment at the airport reminded fans why his presence still commands unparalleled attention.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 13, 2025
