Football legend Lionel Messi met Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan during his visit to Kolkata as part of his GOAT India Tour. The Argentine star also unveiled his 70-metre statue at the Sree Bhumi Sports Club in Lake Town, Kolkata. Messi is in India on a three-day trip, where he will visit the cities of Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
The Argentine legend’s first stop was Kolkata when he landed at the city’s post office on Saturday, December 13. As part of the day-long festivities prepared for the global football icon, Messi unveiled his 70-metre statue for the first time alongside West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Messi also posed with Shahrukh’s youngest son AbRam Khan.
for messi a visit means a return to the city which has a special place on his international journey. The Argentine last played in Kolkata in 2010 when he captained the national team to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly. That appearance remains one of the most memorable football moments for fans in the region, and his comeback after more than a decade reignited that nostalgia.
Messi is expected to arrive at the Salt Lake Stadium around 11:30am before leaving for Hyderabad later in the day, as part of a tightly scheduled tour. The Argentine icon’s Kolkata itinerary also includes meetings with former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reflecting the ceremonial scope of the visit.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 13, 2025
