Despite the bitter cold of December, thousands of people took to the streets even after midnight to give Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi a royal welcome. He arrived in Kolkata as part of the three-day, four-city ‘Goat’ India Tour 2025.
\nThe plane carrying Messi landed in Kolkata at 2:26 am local time on Saturday (December 13). The entire city was in a festive mood. Cheering fans gathered at Gate 4 of the international arrivals – flags in hand, slogans on their lips, busy capturing the moment on their mobile phones. Many were running from one gate to another hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite star.
\nMessi was quickly escorted out through the VIP gate amid tight security. He was then taken to his hotel by a long convoy. Scores of fans waited outside the hotel till late at night. Barricades, heavy police presence and incessant chants of “Messi madness” spread across the city.
\nMessi arrived in Kolkata accompanied by long-time strike partner Luis Suarez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo de Paul. He will visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi over the next 72 hours. The tour is also scheduled to include meetings with chief ministers of various states, Bollywood stars and Prime Minister Narendra Modi next Monday.
\nMessi’s visit to Kolkata will begin with a personal meet and greet from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, which will be reserved for select guests and organisers. He will then unveil a statue in his honour online – a symbol of the city’s deep love for the World Cup-winning star. The most awaited moment for fans will come towards the end of the day. Messi is scheduled to play a friendly match at the Yuva Bharti Stadium, which is expected to draw a crowd. He will conclude his Kolkata visit with an interaction session with fans at the same venue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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