New Delhi, 15 December (H.S.): Argentine football legend Lionel Messi arrived in New Delhi on Monday afternoon, marking the final stop of his much-anticipated “GOAT India Tour 2025.” The football icon’s flight was delayed due to dense fog, causing him to land later than the scheduled time in the national capital.
Upon arrival, Messi was escorted directly to The Leela Palace Hotel, where he participated in an exclusive “Meet and Greet” session with a select group of guests for nearly an hour. The event was conducted under tight security and limited access, given the growing crowd of fans that had gathered near the hotel premises.
Messi’s Delhi itinerary includes a charity exhibition match, a stage event, a football clinic for children, and several private high-profile interactions with dignitaries and celebrities. The Delhi Police and city administration have implemented comprehensive crowd-control and traffic management measures to ensure smooth conduct of his engagements in the capital.
Before arriving in Delhi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner spent Sunday evening in Mumbai, where he interacted with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as well as several current and former Indian football players, film personalities, and political leaders at an event hosted at Wankhede Stadium.
Mumbai was the third stop of Messi’s India tour, which also took him to Kolkata and Hyderabad. His first public appearance was at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where organizational lapses led to chaotic scenes as thousands of fans surged to catch a glimpse of Messi, who was accompanied by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
The crowd mismanagement sparked disappointment among several attendees, despite the overwhelming enthusiasm.
Messi’s second stop, Hyderabad, proved more structured and engaging. The Argentine superstar spent more time at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, participating in photo sessions, friendly interactions with young football players, and informal exchanges with local officials. He was seen waving to fans from the VIP box, acknowledging the packed stands, and appearing briefly on the large screen and live broadcast feed — greeted each time by thunderous applause from the crowd.
With his arrival in Delhi, Messi’s India tour reaches its high point and concluding chapter. For fans across the country, his visit has been nothing short of historic — a rare moment when one of the world’s greatest sporting icons connected personally with India’s growing football community.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
