Kolkata, Jun 7: 2011 is fast turning out to be a sporting delight for the Indians. First there was the ICC Cricket World Cup triumph, then there will be the first ever Indian Grand Prix and now there will be the arrival of arguably the finest footballer of this generation - Lionel Messi, in Kolkata this September.

Messi, along with Argentine team-mates will take on Venezuela in a FIFA-sanctioned international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium, at Kolkata on September 2. [Read: Messi likely to arrive on Wednesday wee hrs]

The news was confirmed by Celebrity Management Group (CMG), the exclusive licensee for the match. CMG has also informed that according to their contract with the Argentina Football Association, Manchester City star Carlos Tevez will also be there in the side, which is likely to be led by Javier Mascherano.

The ticket prices for the match will range between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 far more than the normal Rs 40 to Rs 50 that fans in Kolkata pay for games between the top clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

As of now, the Argentina football team is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Aug 30, and after the match on Sep 2, they will fly to Dhaka for another friendly against Nigeria on Sep 6.

A group of CMG officials will be in Argentina later this month to chalk out the logistics and itinerary for the squad.

OneIndia News