Lionel Messi unveiled a 70-feet statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday as his highly anticipated GOAT Tour of India officially began. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner virtually revealed the statue at Lake Town during an event hosted by West Bengal minister Sujit Bose at the Hyatt Regency. Messi thanked those present with a “Muchas gracias” and continued speaking in Spanish.
Lionel Messi will virtually unveil his 70-ft statue at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, with Sujit Bose and Shah Rukh Khan attending the ceremony — a major moment for the city’s football culture.#Messi𓃵 #MessiInIndia #ShahRukhKhan #SRKxMessi pic.twitter.com/qoHDesG8cC
— Buzz Alerts (@BuzzAlertsLive) December 13, 2025
Lionel Messi Meets SRK
Soon after the unveiling, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met the Argentine football icon. Messi greeted him warmly, exchanged a few words, and signed an autograph for Khan’s son, Abram. Shah Rukh Khan also greeted Messi’s teammates, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul, who attended the event.
Shah Rukh Khan and Lionel Messi share a historic moment in Kolkata — two global icons from cinema and football meeting for the first time. A crossover the world never imagined. ✨⚽🎬#Messi𓃵 #MessiInIndia #Kolkata #ShahRukhKhan #MessiInKolkatapic.twitter.com/tmLTpKmmtZ
— Buzz Alerts (@BuzzAlertsLive) December 13, 2025
Meanwhile, celebrations began at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, where Messi is expected to arrive shortly. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly are also attending. RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka met Messi and gifted him a Sa Re Ga Ma music caravan.
An all-star exhibition match between Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour kicked off at Salt Lake Stadium. Several former footballers participated, and cultural performances entertained the crowd before the game.
