Kolkata woke up to a football frenzy as Lionel Messi arrived in India, sending fans into sheer excitement. Thousands flooded the streets early Saturday morning, waving flags, chanting, and capturing every moment of the football superstar’s arrival. Children perched on shoulders, and families braved the chilly December night to witness the GOAT in action, marking one of the most electrifying moments in Indian sports history.
Hello, Messi fans of Bengal and India.
First exclusive video of Messi from Kolkata Airport, shared by me.
Follow me for every update on the GOAT’s Kolkata tour, I’ll guide everyone on where to go to see Messi.#MessiInIndia#Messi #GOATTourIndia #GOAT #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/clG27zZCWt
— Arjya : ) (@ArjyaNeel) December 12, 2025
VIDEO | Kolkata: Fans arriving at Salt Lake Stadium as star footballer Lionel Messi begins his G.O.A.T. India Tour today from the city.#LionelMessi #GOATIndiaTour #Kolkata
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/1oj7Hcb58r
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
Lionel Messi Arrives in India
Messi entered through the VIP gate under heavy security and was taken to his hotel in a long convoy, while excited fans cheered outside. He was joined by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul as he began his Kolkata visit with a private meet-and-greet and the unveiling of a 70-foot statue made in his honour at Salt Lake Stadium.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Star footballer Lionel Messi arrives in Kolkata, officially kicking off his G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. Visuals from outside the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. pic.twitter.com/WCcWeiH2D8
— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2025