Lionel Messi met Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan during the opening leg of his GOAT India Tour in Kolkata on Saturday, marking a unique crossover between global football and Indian cinema.
The interaction, which included Khan’s son AbRam, quickly became a highlight of Messi’s visit and symbolized the blending of sports and entertainment in India.
Messi arrived at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at 2:26 am, greeted by a large crowd of fans eager to welcome the football legend. His day began with a closed-door meet-and-greet at a city hotel before he headed to Salt Lake Stadium, a venue of special significance as it hosted his only previous appearance in India during Argentina’s 2011 friendly match.
Fans relived the nostalgia of that historic outing, and Messi is expected later in the day to virtually unveil a 70-foot statue at Lake Town, followed by a felicitation ceremony attended by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.
The tour continues in Hyderabad, focusing on football-centric activities. Messi is scheduled to participate in a 7v7 exhibition match with local players and international teammates at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The leg also features a football clinic for young players, highlighting Messi’s commitment to youth development and grassroots football in India.
In Mumbai, the focus shifts to fans, entertainment, and charity. Messi will visit the Cricket Club of India for a padel session before attending a large fan event at Wankhede Stadium. The evening includes a charity fashion show and an auction of memorabilia from Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Sports and entertainment personalities such as Sachin Tendulkar, John Abraham, and Kareena Kapoor are expected, with speculation about interactions with cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma adding to the excitement.
The tour concludes in New Delhi on December 15 at Arun Jaitley Stadium with a felicitation ceremony for young footballers from Minerva Academy and a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss sports development and international collaboration.
