Football icon Lionel Messi’s second day in India unfolded on a far calmer and more heartwarming note, following a turbulent start to his three-day visit.
On Sunday, the World Cup-winning legend shared joyful moments with fans and sporting greats, kicking footballs into the crowd and meeting cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Wearing Argentina jerseys and chanting his name, thousands of supporters welcomed the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star, who took centre stage alongside India’s sporting royalty, including Tendulkar and football captain Sunil Chhetri.
Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul, is visiting the country as part of the much-anticipated “GOAT Tour,” bringing global football magic to a cricket-loving nation.
In a touching exchange between two legends, Tendulkar presented Messi with his iconic number 10 jersey from India’s historic 2011 World Cup triumph at the same venue.
Calling the moment “golden,” Tendulkar reflected on Mumbai as a city where dreams come true and expressed hope that football in India would one day reach similar heights with the encouragement of global stars like Messi.
“Thank you for being here and inspiring the younger generation,” Tendulkar said, highlighting the significance of Messi’s presence for aspiring footballers in the country.
The smooth Mumbai event stood in sharp contrast to Saturday’s chaos in Kolkata, where overwhelming crowds and heavy security left many fans disappointed.
Frustration spilled over as spectators broke barricades and stormed the pitch after Messi left earlier than expected, resulting in damage to stadium property and one arrest.
Before the unrest, Messi had unveiled a towering 21-metre statue of himself lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy, a symbol of his enduring legacy.
He later traveled to Hyderabad, briefly addressing fans in Spanish and thanking them for their passion and support.
Messi is set to conclude his India tour on Monday, with a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit comes on the heels of another milestone in his career, as he was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title.
As he looks ahead to leading Argentina in their World Cup title defence next summer, Messi’s India visit has offered moments of inspiration, unity, and shared admiration reminding fans that beyond trophies and rankings, sport has the power to connect hearts across borders.
