Lionel Messi’s Final Day in India: Celebration and Felicitation in Delhi
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is concluding his three-day ‘GOAT India Tour’ today in New Delhi. The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner will be felicitated at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, marking the grand finale of his visit to India.
After mesmerizing fans in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, Messi arrived in the national capital this morning around 10:45 AM. A huge crowd gathered at Delhi airport to catch a glimpse of the football icon, who has been touring with his Argentina teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
According to sources, Messi’s day began with a private Meet and Greet session at a city hotel. Following that, he was scheduled to visit the residence of Praful Patel, where he met Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and Argentina’s Ambassador to India Mariano Agustin Caucino. Senior officials like Enforcement Directorate chief Rahul Navin were also part of this special gathering.
PM Modi Skips Meeting Due to Foreign Visit
Initially, Lionel Messi was expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Delhi schedule. However, the meeting had to be canceled as the PM left earlier today for a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. Despite the change in plans, Messi’s Delhi visit remains power-packed with several interactions with Indian dignitaries and sports icons.
Felicitation at the Arun Jaitley Stadium
This evening, Messi will be honoured at the Arun Jaitley (Feroz Shah Kotla) Stadium in a special felicitation ceremony organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He will also exchange greetings with a few members of the Indian cricket team, celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship that transcends games.
Recap of Messi’s Visit Across India
On Sunday, Messi had an emotional meeting with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The two icons exchanged memorabilia — Tendulkar gifted Messi his 2011 World Cup jersey, while Messi presented him with an Argentina national team jersey. The event also saw Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, and Tiger Shroff participating in friendly matches and celebrations.
Before Mumbai, Messi played with children in Hyderabad and met political leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. He also virtually inaugurated his 70-foot statue in Kolkata, which became a viral moment among fans.
A Memorable Farewell to India
As Lionel Messi wraps up his India tour with today’s ceremony in Delhi, fans across the country are celebrating his presence and contribution to global football. The ‘GOAT’ continues to win hearts not just on the field, but off it — leaving behind unforgettable memories for Indian fans.
