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Messi To Play Cricket In India? Renowned Footballers Who Have Tried Cricket Before

Abhinav Tyagi

Messi and Harry Kane - (Source: @Goal/X.com)Messi and Harry Kane - (Source: @Goal/X.com)

On Friday, August 1, a report from India express mentioned that star Argentina footballer Lionel Messi is expected to make a three-day visit to India in December. The 38-year-old is most-likely to visit Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. 

The report also added that there are plans to hold a special event in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the plan is to make Messi play cricket alongside cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and a few others.

It will be a great moment for the fans as legends of two sports will assemble to play cricket. Despite cricket's popularity across the globe, it is still a rare event to see footballers engage in a game of bat and ball. Meanwhile, this article will look at a list of renowned cricketers who have tried their hand at cricket. 

1. Gary Lineker

The 64-year-old Barcelona and Leicester City legend will go down in history as one of the best footballers. With over 460 official appearances and 240 goals, Lineker is now also making headlines as football pundit. 

The renowned figure has also tried his hand at cricket. Lineker captained the Leicestershire Schools cricket team from ages 11 to 16 and seriously considered a cricketing career before opting for football.

2. Gary Neville

Gary Neville knows no introduction as the 50-year-old represented England in 80 matches. Further, the former-football turned pundit, represented Manchester United during their golden years under Sir Alex Ferguson.

 Neville also took cricket seriously and also played a club-level match in 1992 and during a Bolton League Hamer Cup semi-finals, he stitched a 236-runs partnership in a match alongside Australia legend Matthew Hayden.

3. Frank Lampard

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has never played cricket at a club level, but he alongside Premier Legends Rio Ferdinand, Lineker, and Paul Scholes engaged in a game of cricket in the studio during a Champions League show in 2017. 

Lampard smashed balls all across the studio and the fans were impressed by his cricketing skills. 

4. Harry Kane

Harry Kane, an  active cricketer for Bayern Munich, tried cricket in 2022. The renowned striker made a visit to Lord's Cricket Ground ahead of London Spirit vs Manchester Originals Hundred match, where he played cricket and smashed sixes at the Home Of Cricket.