Football legend Lionel Messi is set to visit India again after 14 years. As part of his upcoming December tour, he may play a friendly cricket match in Mumbai with Indian cricket icons like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. The event will include sports activities, honours, and a football clinic, drawing major attention from fans and media.
Messi Set to Visit India in December
World-famous footballer Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina and 2022 World Cup winner, is planning a visit to India from December 13 to 15, according to reports from The Indian Express. A local organizing body confirmed that Messi will be in Mumbai during this tour.
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Cricket Appearance at Wankhede Stadium
According to a source from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA):
“মেসি ১৪ ডিসেম্বর ওয়াংখেড়ে স্টেডিয়ামে থাকবেন। তিনি সম্ভবত একটি ক্রিকেট ম্যাচও খেলবেন, যেখানে বর্তমান ও সাবেক ক্রিকেটাররা অংশ নেবেন। সব কিছু চূড়ান্ত হলে আয়োজকরা পুরো সূচি প্রকাশ করবে।”
(“Messi will be at Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He may also play in a cricket match where both current and former players will participate. If everything is finalized, organizers will publish the full schedule.”)
If this plan is confirmed, Messi will participate in a 7-a-side celebrity cricket match featuring big names like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and potentially Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma.
Messi to Be Honoured in Kolkata
This tour will be Messi’s second visit to India, after his first in 2011 when he played an international football match at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
As part of his 2025 visit:
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Messi will travel to three cities, including Kolkata.
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He will be honored at Eden Gardens by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
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He will launch a football workshop for children and inaugurate a football clinic.
“GOAT Cup” Tournament in His Name
In Messi’s honour, the Eden Gardens will host a 7-a-side football tournament called the “GOAT Cup”. Earlier, Kerala’s Sports Minister had claimed Messi would visit Kerala in October, but that tour remains unconfirmed.
Messi’s Current Career & World Cup Plans
Now 38 years old, Lionel Messi is playing for Inter Miami in the USA. He still has plans to represent Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States.
Source: Cricfrenzy
