Have a look at Lionel Messi’s 2025 India tour visit and its schedule
If you’re an active social media user, chances are you might’ve encountered viral claims that Lionel Messi will play cricket with Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni. But are these claims real or yet another internet hoax? Let’s find out together!
Earlier, social media platforms, especially X/Twitter, and Reddit, had been buzzing with claims that the 38-year-old footballer will soon visit India and will play cricket alongside cricketers like Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar in a seven a side match.
Lionel Messi India visit tour 2025 schedule, dates, time, tickets booking and venues cities list
🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi is set to play a 7-side cricket match with Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14.
[Source: @IndianExpress] pic.twitter.com/4qplvv1mNI
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) August 1, 2025
For the curious, it is reported that the Argentine national will surely be coming to India in December 2025, and is set to visit cities like Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi.
Reportedly, the forward will be visiting India as a part of his four-city tour, and will unveil a 70-foot statue, and will likely participate in “GOAT Cup,” events. The player is likely to meet PM Narendra Modi as well.
The Argentina captain’s Kolkata schedule on December 13 will begin at 9am with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-feet statue of him at the Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road and Messi will then head to Eden Gardens, where the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup will be held from 12 noon to 1.30pm.
He will play the GOAT Cup in a seven-side soft-ball, soft-touch game with Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, Bhaichung Bhutia among other people.
Lionel Messi’s Tentative India Tour
Reportedly, the Argentine footballer is likely to arrive in Kolkata on December 12, where he is likely to stay for two days and one night. As per several reports, the player will unveil his tallest statue here, which is reportedly the world’s tallest statue of the World Cup winner.
Messi will unveil his statue on the VIP Road at the Lake Town Sribhumi. Followed by this, a concert titled ‘Goat Concert,’ and a cup event titled ‘Goat Cup,’ will be held at the Eden Gardens to pay respect and honor Messi.
Indian football is so bad that these people are making Messi play cricket with cricketers instead of football with sunil chetri https://t.co/Gut9ua5Wug
— Shivam. (@ShivamHere_56) August 1, 2025
This event will be ticketed, however, as of now there isn’t any official confirmation on the price details or the ticket sales. Though a quick media report says the price for the Eden Garden event is expected to be somewhere around Rs. 3,500. The CM Mamata Banerjee is likely to felicitate Lionel Messi.
The entire stadium will be open, so, we can expect a full capacity of 68,000. For 1 hour 20 minutes Messi will be there with musical tribute, masterclass with kids.
On the evening of December 13, the player will travel to Ahmedabad for a private event at Adani Foundation’s Headquarters. Later, on December 14, the player will visit Mumbai, wherein he is scheduled for a meet-and-greet and Goat concert at Wankhede stadium. His plans also include an interaction with football team in Mumbai.
Will Messi be Playing Cricket?
Though, multiple reports and online rumors suggests that the footballer is set to play cricket at Wankhede Stadium with various Indian cricketers, however, sources revealed that the player won’t be playing cricket match, but will only be playing soft ball and soft touch.
He will reach Mumbai for events on December 14, including a meet-and-greet at CCI at 3.45pm, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at the Wankhede Stadium at 5.30pm.
The event will be a celebration of his journey so far in football, with various Indian celebrities present at the event.
On December 15, 2025 Messi will be in New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla at 2.15pm.
Lionel Messi 2025 India Tour
December 12: Arrival in Kolkata (10pm).
December 13 (Kolkata): 9am — Meet and greet event; Statue unveiling (70-feet) at Lake Town Sribhumi, VIP Road; 12 noon to 1.30pm — GOAT Concert at Eden Gardens followed by GOAT Cup;
December 13 (Evening): Adani Foundation private event at Shantigram, Ahmedabad.
December 14 (Mumbai): Meet and greet at CCI (3.45pm); GOAT Concert at Wankhede Stadium (5.30pm).
December 15 (New Delhi): Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi; GOAT Concert at Feroz Shah Kotla (2.15pm).
Ticket sales and prices are yet to be revealed.