Argentina and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi waves to followers at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India, on 15 December 2025. — Reuters
Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi concluded his India tour on Monday, following a chaotic begin on Saturday in Kolkata, the place followers vandalised a stadium after his transient look upset the group.
The 38-year-old Argentine nice greeted chanting supporters at an almost packed Arun Jaitley Stadium, normally residence to cricket, with followers wearing Argentina jerseys waving flags and shouting his title.
“It was beautiful to receive all the love and support. I knew it was there, but to receive it first-hand was, well, amazing”, Messi instructed the group, talking in Spanish, saying he’ll “definitely be back”.
Clad in a pink jersey and black trousers, Messi enthralled the viewers together with his attraction as he kicked footballs into the group and obliged star-struck delegates and followers with selfies.
Police and safety conflict with followers after Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi left the stadium in Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, India on December 13, 2025. — Reuters
Messi and his fellow stars performed soccer with youngsters earlier than being offered with a T20 World Cup ticket and an Indian jersey by the chairman of the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) Jay Shah.
Argentina’s footballers Lionel Messi (2Left), Rodrigo De Paul (Proper) and Uruguayan footballer Luis Suárez (Left) pose for {a photograph} with Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah throughout his Goat Tour on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on December 15, 2025. — AFP
India — a nation of 1.4 billion — are a cricket powerhouse, however struggles on the soccer pitch and are 142nd on the Fifa rankings.
Former India soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia took the stage with Messi, who signed Argentine jerseys for the Indian star and his household.
His remaining cease in India went easily after a chaotic opening day on Saturday, when followers vandalised a stadium within the metropolis of Kolkata, the place his transient presence left the group annoyed.
Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi (Centre), together with Uruguayan footballer Luis Suárez (Left), arrives to attend an occasion throughout his GOAT Tour on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on December 15, 2025.— AFPÂ
Heavy safety left followers struggling to catch a glimpse of him. Many had paid greater than $100 for tickets, they usually broke down barricades and stormed the pitch after the celebrity abruptly left the sector.
In New Delhi on Monday, 1000’s of excited followers dismissed hazardous choking air air pollution to see their hero.
“I’m very excited to see Messi, I have been watching him since my childhood”, mentioned 29-year-old fan Sumesh Raina.
Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi (2right) performs soccer with youngsters throughout his Goat Tour on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on December 15, 2025. — AFP
New Delhi, and its wider sprawling metropolitan area of 30 million residents, is commonly ranked among the many world’s most polluted capitals, as a consequence of a lethal mixture of emissions from energy crops, heavy visitors, in addition to the burning of garbage and crops.
Ranges of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles hit greater than 300 micrograms per cubic metre in components of New Delhi on Monday, in response to monitoring organisation IQAir, 20 occasions the World Well being Group’s (WHO) really helpful each day most.
A research in The Lancet Planetary Well being final yr estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 had been linked to air air pollution.
Messi, who’s in India as a part of his so-called Goat Tour alongside together with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, appeared unperturbed by the poisonous air.
He appeared in good spirits as he stored up his power with followers and soccer lovers in his 35-minute keep on the stadium.
Messi had additionally visited the cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai, the place he met cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Indian soccer star Sunil Chhetri.
The footballer gained his second consecutive Main League Soccer Most Useful Participant award final 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.
