Kolkata: Lionel Messi’s much awaited India visit got its first unforgettable viral moment in Kolkata, and it had nothing to do with scoring a goal. Rather, it was a welcoming handshake, a fresh smile, and a frame to breakfast with Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam that instantly dominated social media. The arrival of Messi became a one-of-a-kind crossover of football, film and pure pop culture magic as clips were disseminated on the internet.
Lionel Messi Meets SRK and AbRam
Videos that are circulating depict Lionel Messi handshaking and chilling with Shah Rukh Khan and also having a happy time with AbRam. Even the football legend gave the young star kid an autograph, which made this a moment to remember. Shah Rukh Khan (who was casually dressed in a grey hoodie and cap) came in with AbRam and was seen shaking hands with not only Messi but also his teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The photos rapidly turned out to be the most discussed event of the day.
GOAT India Tour 2025 Begins in Kolkata
Kolkata was the first destination of the much anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025 of Messi. The three day tour is extended over four main cities and is full of appearance before the people, attendance with fans and special events. The entry of Lionel Messi immediately changed the face of the city to a football carnival with fans flocking in large numbers to the airport to the venue of events.
70 Foot Messi Statue Unveiled in Grand Style
One of the biggest moments of Day 1 was the virtual unveiling of a massive 70 foot iron statue of Lionel Messi at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. The statue shows Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolising his legendary status. Shah Rukh Khan and Luis Suarez attended the unveiling and the event attracted huge crowds. The organisers affirmed that Lionel Messi and his staff were delighted with the tribute, which has since gained a significant enthusiasm among fans.
City Gears Up for a Historic Football Celebration
When Messi landed, thousands of fans crowded Kolkata airport with images of supporter crowds becoming viral. Authorities rolled out special crowd control measures and traffic advisories around Salt Lake and Lake Town, underlining the scale of the event. Kolkata will also host a special match at the legendary Salt Lake Stadium, between Diamond Harbour Messi All Star and Mohun Bagan Messi All Star, where Messi will be a witness.
Packed Schedule and Big Meetings Ahead
During his Kolkata stay, Messi is scheduled to attend multiple interactions and high profile meetings. He will encounter former Indian cricketing captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee. Messi will pay a visit to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi after Kolkata as part of the tour. Before the football icon concludes his visit to India, he also has a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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