Virat Kohli to host Lionel Messi! India tour confirmed
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Argentine Football legend Lionel Messi is all set to tour India this December, and the three venues have been confirmed as Kolkata, Mumbai, and lastly Virat Kohli's home ground, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Football legend Lionel Messi has confirmed his highly anticipated GOAT tour of India in 2025, setting the stage for what promises to be a dazzling cross-sport spectacle. His interaction with Indian sports legends would be highly anticipated during the visit.
Lionel Messi to play at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi
Messi returns to India after a 14-year hiatus this December; his itinerary includes Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi; however, Ahmedabad could also be added to the tour. The events are lined up for the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December.
The visit will be more than merely symbolic: it will feature concerts, youth football clinics, meet-and-greet sessions, and celebratory events such as the “GOAT Cup” exhibition matches.
In New Delhi, Messi is expected to have an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underlining the national significance of the tour. Messi could also be playing a seven-a-side game at the Wankhede Stadium or at least share the stage with Indian sports icons such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
While in Kolkata, he may be paired alongside Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia.
Leo Messi will be playing in front of the Virat Kohli Pavilion this December!! 🐐x🐐 pic.twitter.com/Kwl5hACC2u
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) October 2, 2025
Virat Kohli named as 'favourite sportsman' by a Legendary athlete
In the world of sports, admiration across disciplines is a rare and powerful gesture. However, several such athletes from around the world have praised cricket star Virat Kohli, who found himself under the global spotlight.
Several legends of modern-day sports, Roger Federer, Lionel Messi, and recently Usain Bolt, have acknowledged the Indian legend as their favourite sportsman. What sets him apart as a batsman is his ability to merge passion with performance.
Both athletes are defined by an insatiable desire to perform under pressure and lead by example. Messi acknowledging Kohli as a favourite speaks volumes about the Indian cricketer’s global influence.
Will Virat Kohli return to India's ODI Squad for the upcoming Australian tour?
Kohli, the Indian legend, has been a memorable name for India in the history of the game. The batter, having played for India in a career that lasted over 15 years, has now retired from the longest as well as the shortest format of the game.
However, there have been immense speculations over his ODI career after the batter announced his retirement from the other two formats.
The upcoming tour between India and Australia will comprise a long white-ball series, which will include both One-Dayers as well as T20I games. Virat Kohli might be back in the Indian side for the ODI series, since he has aimed at participation in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
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