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Wild Crossover! Lionel Messi To Play Football With Ganguly During GOAT Tour Of India

Akshita Patel

Sourav Ganguly to host Lionel Messi during 'Goat Tour' [Source: @daniknowsfooty, @DelhiCapitals/X.com]Sourav Ganguly to host Lionel Messi during 'Goat Tour' [Source: @daniknowsfooty, @DelhiCapitals/X.com]

Football icon Lionel Messi is all set to make history in India this December, and Kolkata will be the heart of the action. As part of his highly-anticipated "GOAT Tour of India 2025", Messi will not only greet fans but also get onto the field for a one-off match with one of Bengal's all-time great sporting heroes, ex-Indian cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly.

The tour kicks off in Kolkata on December 12, marking Messi’s first visit to India since 2011. He will spend two days in the city, the longest stop of his trip, and fans can expect a series of exciting events. 

Sourav Ganguly To Represent Kolkata During Lionel Messi’s Tour

According to PTI, the biggest highlight will be the GOAT Cup, a seven-a-side celebratory football match where Lionel Messi will team up with ex-cricketer Sourav Ganguly, tennis legend Leander Paes, Bollywood star John Abraham, and Indian football great Bhaichung Bhutia. 

The match is set to be played at Eden Gardens, with Salt Lake Stadium as the backup venue, and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for sports lovers. Before the big game, Messi will attend a morning meet-and-greet event at Taj Bengal on December 13.

Another memorable moment for Kolkata will be the unveiling of Lionel Messi’s statue and a massive mural painted during Durga Puja, which will later be gifted to him. The evening will then light up with the GOAT Concert and the much-anticipated GOAT Cup match. 

Event promoter Satadru Dutta has confirmed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate Messi, while tight security will be in place to ensure everything runs smoothly. Tickets will start from ₹3,500, with organisers expecting a full house.

Messi To Visit Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi Too

After Kolkata, Lionel Messi will carry forward his tour to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and finally New Delhi, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to reports, a friendly cricket match is also in the plans, where popular current and former Indian cricketers will play cricket with Messi at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. However, the rumour is conjecture, and confirmation is awaited.