Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (proper) presents his signatured T-shirt to Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi throughout his Goat Tour at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025. — X/@ sachin_rt
Soccer icon Lionel Messi’s second day in India handed easily on Sunday, after a chaotic opening to his three-day tour, because the World Cup winner kicked balls into the gang and met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Messi greeted excited followers decked out in Argentina soccer jerseys at a packed Wankhede stadium in India’s monetary hub, Mumbai, as supporters chanted his title.
The 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami famous person took centre stage within the presence of India’s sporting royalty together with Tendulkar and soccer star Sunil Chhetri.
Messi alongside together with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul are a part of a so-called Goat Tour of a cricket-crazy nation.
Argentina’s footballers Lionel Messi (Proper) and Rodrigo De Paul arrive to attend an occasion throughout Messi´s GOAT Tour on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025.— AFP
Cricket nice Tendulkar offered Messi together with his iconic quantity 10 jersey from India’s 2011 World Cup triumph on the identical venue.
“I have spent some incredible moments here,” stated batting star Tendulkar.
Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi (L) and India’s former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar attend an occasion throughout Messi’s Goat Tour on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025. — AFP
“Mumbai is a city of dreams and number of dreams have seen the finish line here on this very venue and without your support we could never have seen those golden moments in 2011.
“And right this moment having all three greats of sport right here is certainly a golden second for Mumbai, Mumbaikars and India.”
Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi greets followers throughout his Goat Tour on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025.— AFP
Though a cricket powerhouse, the nation of 1.4 billion struggles on the soccer pitch and are 142nd on the Fifa rankings.
“Thank you for being here and encouraging youngsters,” stated Tendulkar. “I hope football here in India also reaches the heights that we all aspire.”
Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi (Proper) interacts with a younger fan throughout his Goat Tour on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, 2025.— AFP
The Mumbai occasion went easily in comparison with Saturday’s within the japanese metropolis of Kolkata the place heavy safety left followers struggling to catch a glimpse of Messi.
Annoyed followers, many having paid greater than $100 for tickets, broke down barricades and stormed the pitch after the famous person abruptly left the sector.
Spectators additionally ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the observe.
One individual has been arrested for the incident.
Earlier than the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which exhibits him holding aloft the World Cup in 2022.
The footballer was in Hyderabad metropolis afterward Saturday the place he addressed the gang briefly in Spanish.
Messi wraps up his India tour on Monday, with a doable assembly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The footballer gained his second consecutive Main League Soccer Most Priceless Participant award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and main the league in objectives.
The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ahead will spearhead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
