Messi Mania Grips Kolkata as GOAT India Tour Begins

Thousands of fans braved the biting December cold and stayed awake well past midnight to welcome Argentine football legend Lionel Messi as he landed in Kolkata for the opening leg of his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.

Messi touched down at 2.26 am on Saturday, triggering scenes of celebration across the city. International arrivals at the airport turned into a sea of waving flags, deafening chants and flashing phone cameras as fans rushed between gates, hoping for even a fleeting glimpse of their hero. Children perched on shoulders, drums rolled through the night, and chants of “Messi! Messi!” echoed endlessly.

Under heavy security, Messi was escorted through the VIP exit and driven in a tightly guarded convoy to his hotel, where another massive crowd had gathered despite the late hour. Barricades, police deployment and heightened surveillance failed to dampen the passion as the city erupted in full-blown Messi mania.

The Argentine superstar arrived alongside long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and teammate Rodrigo De Paul. Over the next 72 hours, Messi will travel across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, meeting chief ministers, business leaders, film celebrities and finally Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

For many fans, the sleepless vigil ended in disappointment. With strict security protocols in place, Messi was whisked away through a back route around 3.30 am, denying hundreds a clear view. Only a handful of airport staff managed a brief glimpse as he stepped off his private jet, dressed in a black suit over a white T-shirt, before being driven straight from the tarmac.

The frenzy soon shifted to the Hyatt Regency, where the lobby resembled an Argentine fan zone. Blue-and-white jerseys, scarves and flags filled the space as chants echoed through corridors well into dawn. Exhausted fans sank into sofas, while children ran around in excitement and parents struggled to keep pace with the chaos.

Messi checked into Room 730, with the entire seventh floor sealed off for security. Some fans even booked rooms at the hotel, hoping that staying close might offer a chance encounter. One family from New Alipore checked in a day early so their son would not miss the moment, despite being a Cristiano Ronaldo admirer.

“I may be a Ronaldo fan, but Messi is his greatest rival. When someone like him comes to your city, you can’t miss it,” said the Class 9 student, clutching his autograph book and hoping for a selfie.

Tour promoter Satadru Dutta, who received Messi at the airport, described the visit as historic for Kolkata. He recalled Messi’s 2011 appearance as Argentina captain and said this return, after winning the World Cup and an eighth Ballon d’Or, made the moment even more special.

According to Dutta, the scale of sponsorship and attention surrounding Messi could significantly benefit Indian football. He added that even a fraction of the investment generated by the tour could help grassroots development, while the unveiling of a 70-foot Messi statue would leave a lasting legacy.

Security across Kolkata was tightened, with police stationed at key junctions, sniffer dogs inspecting vehicles and heightened surveillance around the hotel. Staff prepared themed décor and elaborate arrangements, while vendors outside sold Messi jerseys, scarves and Argentina flags. Some fans even turned up in full Argentine colours, complete with wigs.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” said a supporter outside the hotel. “We won’t sleep tonight. Today is a day to celebrate football.”

Messi begins the tour in Kolkata with a sponsors’ meet-and-greet before heading to the Salt Lake Stadium for a grand tribute event. The programme includes cultural performances, an exhibition match, interactions with young footballers, a felicitation ceremony and a special “Master Class with Messi” for children.

He will later take a lap of honour and virtually unveil his 70-foot statue before flying to Hyderabad for an evening event featuring a short exhibition match and football clinic. The tour continues to Mumbai with a mix of football, philanthropy and celebrity appearances, and concludes in Delhi with a meeting with the Prime Minister and a celebrity nine-a-side match.

Kolkata’s romance with football legends spans decades, from Pelé’s iconic 1977 match against Mohun Bagan to visits by Maradona, Forlán, Oliver Kahn and others. Messi himself last played in the city in 2011, leading Argentina to victory in front of a packed stadium.

Even by Kolkata’s rich footballing standards, the arrival of Lionel Messi has sparked an unmatched wave of emotion, underlining the city’s enduring love affair with the beautiful game and its greatest icons.