The “Mecca of Indian Football” will host the GOAT Lionel Messi. Fans are excited for Messi’s arrival, landing in Kolkata…
Children wearing Lionel Messi jerseys and holding his posters to celebrate ahead of the footballer’s India tour in Kolkata (Photo: IANS)
The “Mecca of Indian Football” will host the GOAT Lionel Messi. Fans are excited for Messi’s arrival, landing in Kolkata at 1:30 am via his private jet. After resting, he will have a sponsor meet-and-greet programme at 9:30 am.
With organisers confirming that a meet-and-greet package with the GOAT will cost almost ₹10 lakh, fans on X have exploded with memes, jokes and creative “budget alternatives” as supporters try to process the steep price tag.
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Here’s how fans reacted on X (formerly known as Twitter):
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Messi will travel to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi for a packed lineup of events.
He will begin in Kolkata, where he’ll virtually inaugurate his 70-foot statue and meet Shah Rukh Khan, Sourav Ganguly, and Mamata Banerjee at Salt Lake Stadium before attending a football clinic and a live penalty showcase. By afternoon, he will fly to Hyderabad for the GOAT Cup 7v7 celebrity match alongside Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
On 14 December, Messi will be in Mumbai for multiple engagements, including the Padel GOAT Cup, a celebrity football match, a charity fashion show, an auction of his 2022 World Cup memorabilia, and an interaction with young footballers. He is also expected to meet Sachin Tendulkar.
The tour will conclude in Delhi on 15 December, where Messi is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, felicitate Minerva Academy players, and attend the closing ceremony.
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