Kolkata, 13 December (H.S.): After a gap of 14 years, legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has returned to India, touching down in Kolkata on Saturday morning to commence his much-anticipated ‘GOAT Tour of India’. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 FIFA World Cup–winning captain was greeted with resounding cheers and vibrant fanfare as thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the global icon in the “football capital of India.”

During his week-long tour, Messi will visit four major cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi — where a series of exclusive football events, fan interactions, and youth engagement programs are scheduled. The tour aims to celebrate football’s growing influence in India while inspiring the next generation of players.

Messi is accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, whose presence has further heightened excitement among Indian fans. Streets in Kolkata were lined with banners and murals bearing Messi’s image, reflecting the city’s long-standing passion for the beautiful game.Sports commentators have described Messi’s arrival as a “landmark moment for Indian football,” predicting that his presence could provide a major boost to the sport’s popularity and infrastructure in the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar