Lionel Messi is one of the greatest football players in the world. His visit to India was a moment that Indian soccer fans will never forget. Messi's trip to India lasted only four days, however, it was still a wonderful opportunity for Indian soccer enthusiasts. The superstar athlete arrived in India with the Argentina national soccer team to compete against Venezuela in an exhibition match. The game took place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Why Messi Planned the India Tour
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While we believe all football supporters should support the FUTURE of FOOTBALL in every State and Territory, our focus this year is on bringing together Football enthusiasts from around the world. We will also be raising awareness for an important cause, being the place to be to discuss ALL things FOOTBALL in every State and Territory of Australia.
We are going to continue to have fun as we introduce more opportunities to join in the fun and connect with other fans from across the World...this is just the first step to creating the NEW FOCUS for the future of FOOTBALL in Australia!"
Lionel Messi Travel and Stay (From Start to End)
Lionel Messi’s travel and stay during his GOAT India Tour 2025 followed a tightly packed three-day itinerary, moving from Kolkata to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and finally New Delhi.
Travel and Stay Details
Kolkata (13 December):
- This morning, Messi arrived in Kolkata after stopping in Dubai to help prevent him from suffering from jet lag.
- Messi was staying at a grand hotel while attending several events at Salt Lake Stadium, including meeting fans, unveiling a statue, and playing an exhibition football match.
- After attending several different events at Salt Lake Stadium, he left for Hyderabad this afternoon.
Hyderabad (December 13)
- Messi Arrived In Hyderabad At About 5 PM IST on November 29, 2023. He Stayed At A Five Star Hotel Called The Taj Falaknuma Palace.
- Complete Details On The Event Are As Follows: There Was An Exclusive Meet And Greet, As Well As A Special Football Exhibition, At The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Mumbai (December 14)
- In the morning, Messi came to Mumbai, where he stayed at a luxurious hotel.
- His itinerary included an exhibition match of padel held at the Cricket Club of India; a celebrity soccer game at Wankhede Stadium; and a fashion show benefitting charity later that day.
- The next morning, Messi departed for Delhi.
New Delhi (December 15)
- At approximately 10:45 AM, Lionel Messi arrived in New Delhi and was staying at a 5-star hotel during his stay in India.
- There were three main events in Delhi for Messi while he was there; a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a mega event occurring at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and a felicitation ceremony for the players of the Minerva Academy.
Messi’s travel was coordinated with private jets and security, and he was accompanied by his teammates and staff throughout the tour. Each city offered a mix of fan events, football matches, and celebrity interactions, with stays at top hotels for comfort and security.
Where Did Lionel Messi Stay the Most in India
The up-market hotels that Lionel Messi lodged in were all of the finest quality throughout India, however, it was when he arrived in New Delhi where he had the most exclusive accommodation and the greatest amount of time there. Lionel Messi stayed at The Leela Palace Chanakyapuri, where he was given a Presidential Suite that cost between 3.5 lakh and 7 lakh rupees per night. The entire floor of The Leela Palace Chanakyapuri was closed off for his entire group during their stay.
In other cities:
- Kolkata: Messi stayed at Hyatt Regency, specifically in the Diplomatic or Executive Suite, with heavy security.
- Hyderabad: He stayed at the iconic Taj Falaknuma Palace, a heritage luxury hotel.
- Mumbai: Messi checked into the sea-facing luxury suite at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, costing ₹2.3 lakh per night
Celebrities and Politicians Lionel Messi Met
Here are the names of celebrities and politicians who are currently active or frequently seen in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, listed in English in point form:
Kolkata (West Bengal)
- Mamata Banerjee (Politician, CM of West Bengal)
- Abhishek Banerjee (Politician, TMC leader)
- Shatrughan Sinha (Actor, Politician)
- Dev (Actor, Politician)
- Satabdi Roy (Actress, Politician)
- Saayoni Ghosh (Actress, Politician)
- June Maliah (Actress, Politician)
- Rachana Banerjee (Actress, Politician)
- Saurav Das (Actor, Politician, recently joined TMC)
Hyderabad (Telangana)
- K. Chandrashekar Rao (Politician, CM of Telangana)
- Pawan Kalyan (Actor, Politician, Jana Sena Party)
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (Actor, Politician)
- Allu Arjun (Actor)
- Rana Daggubati (Actor)
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Actress)
- Aamir Khan (Actor, sometimes visits for events)
Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Eknath Shinde (Politician, CM of Maharashtra)
- Uddhav Thackeray (Politician, Shiv Sena)
- Aditya Thackeray (Politician, Shiv Sena)
- Amitabh Bachchan (Actor)
- Shah Rukh Khan (Actor)
- Ranbir Kapoor (Actor)
- Katrina Kaif (Actress)
- Ajay Devgn (Actor)
- Riteish Deshmukh (Actor, Politician)
New Delhi (National Capital)
- Narendra Modi (Politician, Prime Minister of India)
- Amit Shah (Politician, Home Minister)
- Arvind Kejriwal (Politician, CM of Delhi)
- Manoj Tiwari (Actor, Politician)
- Shashi Tharoor (Politician)
- Kangana Ranaut (Actress, Politician)
- Sonu Sood (Actor, Social Worker)
- Anupam Kher (Actor, Politician)
Messi’s Experience in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi
Kolkata
- There were hundreds of fans at Kolkata airport, all waiting to welcome Lionel Messi. All the way to Salt Lake Stadium there were thousands of people who had come to see him and were cheering him on.
- At the opening ceremony, a large 70-foot statue of Messi was unveiled by both himself and Indian film star Shah Rukh Khan.
- The first day of the opening event was overflowing with too many people and a lack of security and control over the crowd; therefore, Messi's appearance in a running lap around the stadium, as originally planned, was cut short. Many disappointed fans left after missing out on the opportunity to see Messi.
Hyderabad
- Messi’s visit to Hyderabad was smoother, with organized fan events and meet-and-greets.
- He interacted with local supporters and football enthusiasts, creating memorable moments without major issues
Mumbai
- Messi was in Mumbai where he interacted with fans, kicked footballs to the crowd, and played a seven-a-side Friendly Match with football stars from India including Sunil Chhetri.
- Overall, the event went very well for the crowd, and there were many positive reactions from the people in attendance as well as successful interactions with Messi.
New Delhi
- The conclusion of Messi's tour of New Delhi took place in style with a big event at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
- During his final day in India, he also spent time with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and visited Anant Ambani’s wildlife rescue organization before concluding the tour in an amazing way.
Places Messi Visited in India
Lionel Messi visited several key places across India during his 2025 GOAT Tour, covering four major cities and iconic venues:
Kolkata, West Bengal
- Salt Lake Stadium (major public event and exhibition match)
- Hyatt Regency (hotel stay)
- Virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue at Sbhumi Club in Lake Town
Hyderabad, Telangana
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (exhibition match and football clinic)
Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Wankhede Stadium (celebrity football match, meet-and-greet)
- Brabourne Stadium (events and fan interactions)
- Cricket Club of India (Padel Cup event)
New Delhi, National Capital Territory
- Arun Jaitley Stadium (final event, celebrity match, meeting with PM Modi)
Messi’s Temple Visit in India
Lionel Messi attended a temple in Vantara (wildlife rescue & conservation) while on his trip to India, which included numerous ceremonial activities related to their faith. He participated in Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, Shiv Abhishek, and Maha Aarti. He also took part in the performance of Ambe Mata Puja, Nariyal Utsarga and Matka Phod, all of which are traditions believed to bring blessings of peace and prosperity to individuals involved in these ceremonies and new beginnings for communities or families who perform them.
How Messi Felt About India
Lionel Messi showed his appreciation and thankfulness to all the people of India who attended his GOAT Tour 2025 events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. On Instagram he stated, "Incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Thank you so much for your hospitality and all of your kindness and support! I really hope that football will continue to grow throughout India!"
Messi was very emotional from the love and excitement he felt from all the Indian fans that supported him. "It was pure madness! I would love to come back again,” said Messi. Messi also met with Indian soccer great Sunil Chhetri in Mumbai, which represented a unity between two of the greatest players in the world.
