Football legend Lionel Messi expressed his excitement ahead of his much-anticipated visit to India as part of the “GOAT Tour of India 2025,” recalling fond memories from his last trip to the country 14 years ago.

The three-day tour is scheduled from December 13 to 15 and will include appearances in Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi, with a fourth city to be announced, according to the tour’s organisers.

Messi, who last visited India in 2011 with Argentina’s national team for a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, said, “India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago. The fans were fantastic. I look forward to meeting a new generation of supporters and sharing my love for this beautiful game.”

The tour will feature stadium events at Salt Lake Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, and Arun Jaitley Stadium, along with special celebrations, including a statue unveiling in Kolkata and the launch of a new charitable initiative. Messi will also meet local sports and entertainment figures, dignitaries, and state leaders from West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Delhi.

Ahead of his India tour, Messi-led Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad is set to play in Kochi this November. These matches are part of three scheduled during the FIFA international window, with the other two fixtures in Luanda, Angola.

Messi’s return to India is expected to attract thousands of fans and celebrate not only his footballing legacy but also his commitment to inspiring the next generation of players in the country.