Lionel Messi Arrives in Mumbai for Third Leg of GOAT India Tour

Mumbai, Dec 2025 : Argentine football legend Lionel Messi arrived in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon for the third stop of his much-anticipated GOAT India Tour, drawing massive excitement among fans and sports enthusiasts across the city. After successful yet contrasting visits to Kolkata and Hyderabad, the global icon’s Mumbai schedule is packed with high-profile appearances, sporting engagements and cultural events.

Messi is set to attend the Padel GOAT Cup event at the historic Cricket Club of India (CCI), Brabourne Stadium, marking one of the key highlights of his Mumbai visit. From there, he is expected to proceed to the iconic Wankhede Stadium later in the evening, where an exhibition match featuring Bollywood celebrities is scheduled to take place around 5:00 PM. The friendly match is expected to blend sport and entertainment, attracting a diverse audience beyond football fans.

One of the most anticipated moments of the day is Messi’s interaction with cricketing legends. The Argentine superstar is scheduled to join Sachin Tendulkar at a special event at the Cricket Club of India. Sources indicate that Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also likely to be present, making it a rare gathering of global sporting icons from different disciplines.

The Mumbai leg of the tour will also feature a private fashion show, during which Messi will auction memorabilia from Argentina’s historic FIFA World Cup 2022 triumph in Qatar. Proceeds from the auction are expected to go towards selected causes, adding a philanthropic dimension to the event. In addition, Messi will take part in the ‘GOAT Football Clinic’, an initiative supported by the Maharashtra government, where he is likely to interact with children and share footballing tips and life lessons. Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has confirmed his presence at the clinic.

After the crowd-management chaos witnessed during Messi’s first stop in Kolkata, Mumbai Police have put elaborate security arrangements in place. Thousands of fans are expected to gather across venues, and authorities are determined to ensure a smooth and incident-free experience.

Messi’s tour began on a turbulent note at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where inadequate crowd control led to fan frustration. The football icon then travelled to Hyderabad, where he participated in photo sessions, interacted with children and officials, and made a brief on-screen appearance from a VIP box at the Uppal Stadium.

Following Mumbai, Messi will head to New Delhi to conclude his GOAT India Tour, wrapping up a visit that has captured the imagination of sports fans nationwide.
Team Maverick.