Lionel Messi heads to India: Could Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets join the trip?
Argentine legend Lionel Messi will finally make his long-awaited return to India, ending a 14-year gap since his last appearance in the country. His multi-city ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’ has been officially confirmed, with stops in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
But while fans already know the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be here, there’s a lingering question: could he be bringing some very famous friends along for the ride? The names being whispered — Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets — add a layer of intrigue to what is already set to be a historic tour.
Event promoter Satadru Dutta confirmed the details on Friday, telling PTI: “I got the authorization and afterwards made it official [on social media]. Messi will post any day between August 28 and September 1 with the official poster with all details and a small introduction of his tour.”
The Argentine superstar will arrive in Kolkata on December 12 for his longest stop, two days and one night, before heading to Ahmedabad on the 13th, Mumbai on the 14th, and finally New Delhi on the 15th, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first visit to India since 2011, when he captained La Albiceleste in a friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
The proposed itinerary and speculation on star companions
Kolkata will roll out the red carpet for Messi, as per Dutta. On the morning of December 13, fans will get the chance to attend a meet-and-greet session at the Taj Bengal hotel, paired with a unique Food and Tea Festival. The day will also see the unveiling of Messi’s largest-ever statue and a 25-by-20-foot mural created in his honor. Fans will be able to paint and leave messages on the mural during Durga Puja celebrations before it is officially presented to Messi at the GOAT Concert.
After wrapping up his Kolkata commitments, the 37-year-old will fly to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation on the evening of December 13. The next day, Mumbai will host a meet-and-greet at CCI Brabourne, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. One of the more unusual events on the Mumbai leg will be the Mumbai Padel GOAT Cup, where Messi will play the racket sport with Indian celebrities.
The tour will conclude in New Delhi on December 15. And here’s where the mystery deepens: while the promoter refused to confirm, there’s growing buzz that Messi could be accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Hindustan Times reports. Such a lineup would make the GOAT Tour one of the most star-studded soccer events India has ever seen.