Messi Wraps Up GOAT India Tour with Jamnagar Finale


Messi Wraps Up GOAT India Tour with Jamnagar Finale
  • Lionel Messi concluded his GOAT India Tour 2025 in Jamnagar after visiting Vantara, marking his final stop in the country.
  • The four-city tour across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi drew huge crowds, highlighting the Argentine star’s massive fan following in India.
  • Celebrity matches, fan interactions, and meetings with sports icons and leaders made the visit historic and memorable for Indian football fans.
Football icon Lionel Messi brought his GOAT India Tour 2025 to a close on Tuesday as he departed Jamnagar after visiting Vantara, the wildlife rescue and conservation center. Hosted by Anant Ambani, the Jamnagar stop marked Messi’s final appearance in India and capped a fast-paced, high-profile tour that captured the imagination of fans across the country.
Before Jamnagar, the Argentine superstar traveled through Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, drawing huge crowds and widespread attention at every stop. The tour blended football, celebrity events, and fan engagement, giving Indian supporters a rare chance to see the World Cup winner up close.
The Delhi leg served as the grand finale, with a packed on-field program at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Messi arrived in the capital on December 15 alongside former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. A celebrity football match between the Minerva Messi All Stars and the Celebrity Messi All Stars headlined the event. Messi later joined players on the pitch, shared moments with young footballers, and exchanged passes with Suarez and De Paul, creating unforgettable scenes.
The evening ended with a formal ceremony attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and several prominent figures, including ICC chairman Jay Shah, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley, and Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia. Messi and his teammates received specially designed Indian cricket jerseys, while Messi was also presented with a signed commemorative cricket bat.
Earlier stops were equally memorable. In Mumbai, Messi met Sunil Chhetri and Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede Stadium. In Hyderabad, he played a 7-on-7 exhibition match and met political leaders. Although the Kolkata opening faced crowd management criticism, the tour ended as a defining moment for Indian football fans.