GOAT Tour of India 2025 confirmed! Messi says, 'look forward to meeting a new generation of supporters'

Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated visit to India as part of the "GOAT Tour of India 2025" has been officially confirmed. The three-city tour is scheduled to begin on December 13. The Argentine superstar recalled his last visit to India 14 years ago, saying he has "good memories of a very special country."

The three-day tour, running from December 13 to 15, will see Messi make appearances in Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi, with a fourth city yet to be announced, according to the tour’s event manager.

Messi's first visit since 2011

This will be Messi’s first trip to India since 2011 when he visited the country with his national team to play a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

"India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago," Messi said in an official statement, confirming his visit to India, IANS reported. "The fans were fantastic. I look forward to meeting a new generation of supporters and sharing my love for this beautiful game."

Also Read: India submits official bid to host 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad

Goat Tour 2025 highlights

The tour will include stadium events at Salt Lake Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, and Arun Jaitley Stadium. Special celebrations are also planned, including a statue unveiling in Kolkata and the launch of a new charitable initiative.

Messi is scheduled to meet local sports and entertainment figures, as well as dignitaries and state leaders from West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Prior to the three-city tour, Messi-led Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad is set to play in Kochi this November. These matches will be part of three scheduled during the FIFA international window, with the other two games to be played in Luanda, Angola.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030: Centre to prepare Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium pitch as Cabinet clears bid submission

Maharashtra braces for Messi

Earlier in September, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Argentina maestro Lionel Messi's trip to Maharashtra on December 14 as a part of the GOAT Tour. The 2022 Qatar World Cup winner gifted Fadnavis a signed ball.

"Guess what! Lionel Messi is coming to Maharashtra and.... will play football with you, my young friends! Thank you, Messi for gifting me your personally signed football! I welcome your forthcoming visit to Mumbai on 14th December 2025, as a part GOAT Tour! Under-14 young football players from across Maharashtra will be selected by our Sports Department, MITRA and WIFA and will get to practice with Lionel Messi on 14th December! I invite football fans and the corporates to support our efforts to bring world-class training to Maharashtra's YOUth!" Fadnavis wrote on X.