GOAT India Tour – Thousands of people braved the December chill to wait past midnight to give a rousing welcome to Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for the three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. The Barcelona legend’s 2.

26am touchdown sent the city into frenzy in the early hours of Saturday (December 13, 2025). Gate 4 of the international arrivals turned into a deafening sea of ​​chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans racing between gates to catch a glimpse of their favorite sports star.

When Messi was taken out of the VIP gate amid heavy security, children were sitting on his shoulders and drums were playing. Then a heavy convoy took them to their hotel, where an even larger crowd was waiting in the dark of night.

Barricades, police deployment and constant cheering completed the eruption of “Messi mania” across the city. Messi arrived with long-time strike partner Luis Suarez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Over the next 72 hours, he will visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, meeting chief ministers, corporate leaders, Bollywood celebrities and ultimately Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.