Lionel Messi calls India 'very special country' ahead of his visit after 14 years

The Argentine legend will visit four cities in India.

Indian football fans are set to welcome one of the greatest football players of all time. Lionel Messi will visit India for the second time. He will do so for the GOAT Tour 2025.

It was confirmed this year that Messi is preparing to come to the nation for the event after already visiting the country back in 2011 for a friendly game against Venezuela.

Messi speaks on his visit to India

In an official statement, the former Barcelona star confirmed that he is delighted to travel to the country once again in his playing career and meet other athletes.

“It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago – the fans were fantastic,” Messi said in an official statement.

“India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game,” he added.

Cities Messi will travel to

The Argentine is set to make a four-city tour once he lands in the country. The 38-year-old will start his GOAT Tour 2025 in Kolkata on December 13 before moving to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and concluding in New Delhi on December 15.

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

However, having already played in Salt Lake Stadium, this time Messi will only attend the concerts and the event. There he will also meet the likes of Sourav Ganguly, football maestro Bhaichung Bhutia and Olympic tennis medallist Leander Paes.

In Mumbai, Messi will be in the spotlight for the Padel GOAT Cup, which will also include big names such as Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and leading Bollywood actors.

It will be a memorable event for the fans and the player who will visit the country in the last month of the year. It is also expected that Argentina are set to play a friendly game in Kerala between November 10 and 18.

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