Save Indian Football: A Fan Urges Football Legend Lionel Messi As He Lands In Kolkata For GOAT Tour

Updated: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 9:13 [IST]

Lionel Messi’s arrival in Kolkata for a three-day India visit has sparked mixed emotions. A short airport clip showed a young woman raising a sign reading, "Save Indian Football." The message spread fast online, reflecting concern that Indian football remains weak even as global stars visit for high-profile events.

Many of those worries centre on the Indian Super League. The All India Football Federation has not yet confirmed sponsors or a broadcast deal. There is still no restart date, or clarity on whether the ISL will keep its present format. That uncertainty hangs over the sport during Messi’s stay.

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Lionel Messi's three-day India visit, from December 13 to 15, includes Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, featuring events like a statue unveiling and a 7v7 exhibition game; alongside meetings with political figures and a meeting with Sunil Chhetri, generating both excitement and concerns about Indian football's development.

Messi India tour schedule and events

Messi is in India from December 13 to 15 for what organisers call the "GOAT Tour." The schedule is tightly packed, covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi in just 72 hours. Public interest is strong, yet the tour focuses more on ceremonies and meetings than on football activity with local players.

In Kolkata, Messi is due to appear virtually for the unveiling of a 70-foot statue. Hyderabad will stage a 7v7 exhibition game that features Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy. Across the trip, Messi is also expected to meet three chief ministers, the prime minister, and several well-known film and sports personalities.

City	Date	Planned Messi India tour activity
Kolkata	December 13	Virtual unveiling of 70-foot statue
Hyderabad	Within December 13-15 window	7v7 exhibition match with Revanth Reddy
Mumbai	December 14	Planned meeting with Sunil Chhetri
Delhi	Within December 13-15 window	Meetings with political and public figures

Messi India tour and Sunil Chhetri meeting

Plans around Sunil Chhetri also changed during the Messi India tour build-up. Initial reports suggested Chhetri had turned down a meeting, feeling the interaction would not mean much. That position has shifted, and the former India captain is now expected to meet Messi in Mumbai on December 14 after reported political pressure.

The Chhetri-Messi interaction is expected to remain a single, private engagement, with no other Indian footballers involved. Instead, organisers of the Messi India tour have created a separate high-end meet-and-greet for fans. This structure has added to debate on who benefits most from the visit, beyond brief symbolic moments.

The exclusive fan event during the Messi India tour has drawn particular criticism. A limited group can pay Rs 10 lakh for a short personal meeting and photograph. Supporters argue that the price cuts ordinary followers out of a rare football occasion. For many, that concern links back to the airport sign and the wider strain on Indian football.