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Fact Check: Will Lionel Messi Play Cricket With Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni And Rohit Sharma?

Akshita Patel

Lionel Messi likely to visit India later this year [Source: @barcacentre, @AllHeartFC/X.com]Lionel Messi likely to visit India later this year [Source: @barcacentre, @AllHeartFC/X.com]

In a surprising development, football legend Lionel Messi is reportedly said to take part in a seven-a-side cricket match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025. Reports suggest that the event may feature a historic face-off, Messi vs MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, along with cricket greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma.

Messi is among the best footballers of all time. Born in Argentina, he became famous with FC Barcelona, winning many titles, including several Ballon d'Or awards. He now plays Major League Soccer for Inter Miami after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi To Play Cricket With Indian Legends?

According to a latest report from The Indian Express, an event agency has approached the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to reserve the Wankhede ground for December 14, 2025 to host Lionel Messi and organise a 7-a-side cricket match as a part of Messi’s promotional tour of India.

As per the MCA source, the friendly cricket match could feature some of the iconic former and current Indian cricketers. This report has set social media ablaze with fans speculating that Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar will be invited to have a face-off with Messi.

However, the rumours are untrue. As per the Indian Express report, the MCA source didn’t disclose the name of any participant. The insider just confirmed that the plan to host a friendly cricket match is in motion, with nothing being finalised.

“Messi will be at Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He is likely to play a cricket match, too, with former and current cricketers. The organisers will come up with a complete schedule once everything is finalised," the source said.

Hence, a possible crossover between Lionel Messi and legendary Indian cricketers is nothing but a pipe dream for now.

That being said, this will be Messi’s second visit to India, after his first in 2011, when he played a football friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. This time, his India tour is expected to include stops in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata, from December 13 to 15.