Lionel Messi Makes Appearance in Delhi as Footballer Ends India Tour
Football superstar Lionel Messi concluded his whirlwind tour of India on Monday with a lap of honour in New Delhi, delighting thousands of fans and thanking them for “all the love and support.”
The 38-year-old Argentine great was greeted by chanting supporters at a near-capacity Arun Jaitley Stadium, better known as a cricket venue. Fans in Argentina jerseys waved flags and shouted his name as Messi acknowledged the crowd.
“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 said in Spanish, adding that he would “definitely be back.”
Wearing a pink jersey and black trousers, Messi charmed the audience by kicking footballs into the stands and posing for selfies with fans and delegates. He and fellow stars played football with children before being presented with a T20 World Cup ticket and an Indian jersey by International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah.
India, home to 1.4 billion people, is a global cricket powerhouse but struggles in football, currently ranked 142nd in the FIFA standings. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia joined Messi on stage, where the Argentine signed jerseys for Bhutia and his family.
Messi’s final stop contrasted sharply with the chaotic start of his tour in Kolkata on Saturday, where frustrated fans vandalised a stadium after his brief appearance. Heavy security and limited access angered supporters, many of whom had paid over $100 for tickets. Barricades were broken and the pitch stormed after Messi left abruptly.
In New Delhi, however, thousands of fans brushed aside hazardous air pollution to see their hero.
“I’m very excited to see Messi; I have been watching him since my childhood,” said 29-year-old fan Sumesh Raina.
New Delhi and its wider metropolitan region of around 30 million people regularly rank among the world’s most polluted areas. On Monday, levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 particles exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic metre in parts of the capital—around 20 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit, according to IQAir.
Messi, in India as part of his “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) Tour alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, appeared unfazed by the toxic air. He remained energetic and upbeat during his 35-minute appearance at the stadium.
During the tour, Messi also visited Hyderabad and Mumbai, where he met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Indian football star Sunil Chhetri.
Last week, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward won his second consecutive Major League Soccer (MLS) Most Valuable Player award after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title and finishing as the league’s top scorer. He is set to lead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup in June–July in North America.
