- Messi Wraps Up India Visit In Delhi, Hints At Possible Return
- He praised Indian fans and hinted at a future return.
- The GOAT Tour drew large crowds across multiple cities.
Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his high profile visit to India in New Delhi, bringing an end to a short but widely celebrated tour that drew massive attention across the country.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Messi addressed fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, December 15, where he expressed appreciation for the warm reception and suggested he could return in the future, possibly to play before Indian supporters.
The stop in the capital marked the final leg of a tightly packed itinerary that saw the former Barcelona star visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi within a few days.
The visit, branded the GOAT Tour, combined public appearances with closed door engagements and attracted passionate crowds at every stop, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of one of football’s most decorated players.
Speaking in Spanish at the stadium, Messi thanked Indian fans for their affection and praised the hospitality he received throughout the tour. He said the experience exceeded expectations, despite already being aware of his popularity in the country.
“I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. It was truly a beautiful experience for us to be able to share it,” Messi said.
“And although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but experiencing it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us during those days. We carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion. We will certainly return to visit India. Thank you very much.”
Messi was accompanied on the tour by his Argentina teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. In New Delhi, the trio were welcomed by an energetic crowd that remained patient and enthusiastic despite delays, filling the stadium with chants and applause.
During the appearance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Messi also met the president of the International Cricket Council, Jay Shah, who presented him with a ticket for the India versus USA match at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
