Messi fever grips Kolkata as football icon unveils 70-foot statue, meets Shah Rukh Khan
Football legend Lionel Messi set Kolkata ablaze on Day 1 of his much-anticipated GOAT Tour in India, unveiling a towering 70-foot statue of himself and sharing a high-profile meeting with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
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Messi arrives at Salt Lake Stadium joined by Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, to deafening chants.
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Messi presented with a special Mohun Bagan jersey bearing his name and the iconic No. 10.
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Chaos in Salt Lake Stadium as angry fans threw water bottles after failing to catch a glimpse of Messi properly. They tried to breach security cordon. Messi had to leave the stadium early.
Angry crowd in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium throwing bottles from gallery after they couldn’t see Messi properly #MessiInIndia pic.twitter.com/HxhkLsLcFl
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) December 13, 2025
The Argentine great virtually unveiled the massive statue at Sreebhumi, marking a historic moment for Indian football fans and underlining Kolkata’s deep-rooted love for the beautiful game. The statue instantly became a landmark attraction, drawing massive crowds and global attention.
Earlier in the day, Messi met Shah Rukh Khan and his family in Kolkata in what fans described as the ultimate crossover between football and Bollywood, sending social media into a frenzy. Both icons are set to head to the Salt Lake Stadium for the next leg of the day’s events.
Messi meets SRK. Photo: India Today Channel Screenshot
Meanwhile, Salt Lake Stadium witnessed scenes of unprecedented excitement as thousands of fans queued up hours in advance. Chants of “Messi, Messi” echoed through the stands as anticipation built ahead of his scheduled 11:30 am arrival.
Supporters were seen holding placards and banners, with one fan boldly urging the Argentine No. 10 to guide his nation to back-to-back World Cup titles, reflecting the enduring global belief in the World Cup-winning captain.
Messi fans throng Salt Lake Stadium. Photo: Rupak De Chaudhuri
With queues stretching longer by the minute and the city buzzing with celebration, Messi’s Kolkata stop has already turned into a once-in-a-generation sporting spectacle, setting the tone for the rest of his India tour.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to honour Messi in a felicitation ceremony at Salt Lake Stadium, where Banerjee will formally welcome the Argentine legend on behalf of the state, underscoring Bengal’s historic connection with football and its admiration for Messi’s achievements, including his World Cup triumph.
Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) all set to welcome Messi. Photo: Rupak De Chaudhuri
Cricketer Sourav Ganguly is likely to be present at the function.
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