Mumbai

Global football superstar Lionel Messi has arrived in Mumbai, marking the third stop of his much-anticipated GOAT India Tour. The Argentine legend landed in the city on Saturday and checked in at the Taj Mahal Hotel, where fans eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of the World Cup winner.

Following a turbulent experience during the Kolkata leg of the tour and an overwhelmingly positive response in Hyderabad, Messi is now set to receive a grand welcome from Mumbai’s football enthusiasts. Expectations are high as the city prepares to host the iconic footballer during his brief stay.

Messi’s Hyderabad visit on Saturday proved to be a memorable affair for fans, who packed the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium to witness the football maestro in action. The second leg of the tour stood in sharp contrast to the earlier chaos in Kolkata, where fans had expressed anger over alleged mismanagement and limited public access to the star player.

In Hyderabad, the 38-year-old footballer participated in a lively seven-a-side exhibition match that also featured Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The event unfolded smoothly, with Messi soaking in the energy of a passionate crowd. He also met Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during the programme.

As a special gesture, Messi presented Rahul Gandhi with his iconic Argentina number 10 jersey while posing for photographs alongside his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. The Telangana Chief Minister honoured Messi with a commemorative memento during the event.

In his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Messi also spent time with children at the venue, briefly playing football with them and creating a cherished experience for the young attendees.

As part of the Mumbai leg, the Maharashtra Sports Department will select under-14 football players from across the state, who will get a rare opportunity to train and practise with Messi on Sunday.

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Delhi will serve as the final destination of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025, with the football icon scheduled to conclude his visit on Monday.