Generations of football fans have been inspired by Argentina’s Lionel Messi, particularly in cricket-loving nations like India. According to reports, the renowned player would embark on a promotional tour of India in December 2025. Lionel is anticipated to visit the nation from December 13 to 15, making trips in Mumbai, Kolkata, and New Delhi, according to several reports.
Messi will visit Wankhede Stadium for a friendly cricket match.
On December 14, Lionel might participate in a seven-a-side cricket match with current and past Indian cricket players at Mumbai’s famous Wankhede Stadium, which could be the tour’s high point. Lionel might be seen wielding a cricket bat if everything goes as planned. Alongside the football legend, the friendly match will feature cricketing greats like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar.
A leading event management agency has asked to reserve the Wankhede Stadium on that day, according to sources within the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
On December 14, Lionel will be visiting Wankhede Stadium. He will probably play cricket with both current and previous players. An MCA insider was cited in an Indian Express report as saying, “Once everything is finalised, the organisers will come up with a complete schedule.”
Has an Indian cricket player ever met Lionel Messi?
Though many cricket players have expressed their enthusiasm for Messi, have any of them had the opportunity to meet the Argentine? Interestingly, Messi hasn’t really met any cricket players yet, although he did appear on film alongside Indian cricket great MS Dhoni in a well-known Lay’s India commercial. The two legends are shown in the advertisement trading footballs before becoming close over a bag of Lay’s chips. Labelled the ‘ultimate collab,’ the campaign featured two of this generation’s most recognisable athletes together. However, they never actually met in person because their contact was completely virtual, captured on different video and edited together.
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At Eden Gardens, Messi will receive congratulations.
It’s interesting to note that this will be Messi’s second trip to India; his first was in 2011, when Argentina and Venezuela played a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Messi was wearing the captain’s armband when Argentina won that match 1-0.
In addition, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is anticipated to attend the football player’s felicitation ceremony at Kolkata’s famous Eden Gardens. Messi will start a football clinic and lead a children’s football workshop when he is in Kolkata. Additionally, a seven-a-side competition known as the “GOAT CUP” will be held in Eden Gardens in his honour.
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