Mumbai: In great news for India and Mumbai’s football lovers, Argentina’s legendary footballer and global icon Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14, TOI has learnt. The Wankhede Stadium has been witness to many historic moments in the past – India’s memorable World Cup triumph on April 2, 2011 being top of that list – but Messi’s visit will add a different and yet colourful chapter to it’s glorious record.“Yes, Messi is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14. The organisers of the event (Wizcraft) have sought permission for the event, which will be ticketed. Their request was discussed by the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Apex Council in a meeting recently and the permission was granted,” a reliable source in the MCA told TOI on Friday. “A couple of superstar cricketers may also attend the event,” he added.There have been reports that from December 13 to 15, Messi will visit three cities – Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai – for a series of events celebrating his illustrious career and commitment to the sport. It has been reported that in Kolkata, Messi will be felicitated at the iconic Eden Gardens, with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expected to attend the ceremony. During his stay in Kolkata, Messi will conduct a football workshop for children and launch a football clinic. A seven-a-side tournament called the “GOAT CUP” will also be organised in his honour at the Eden Gardens.
Lionel Messi. (AP)
On June 6, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had confirmed that Argentina football team led by Messi will visit Kerala for a friendly match in October or November at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The government will host the team as state guests with full government support. Kerala government had announced in 2024 that they are arranging a friendly game for Argentina. Currently, the 38-year-old Messi, in the last lap of his career, plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.Messi has visited India once before. In September 2011, he played in a friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi goes for the ball during a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
In his glittering footballing career, Messi has won eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and was named eight times as the world’s best player by FIFA. He is the most decorated player in the history of professional football having won 45 team trophies. Messi’s records include most goals in a calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona), most goals in La Liga (474), most goal contributions in the FIFA World Cup (21), and most goal contributions in the Copa América (32). A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi has scored over 870 senior career goals and has provided over 380 assists for club and country.Messi had led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup triumph, the country’s first in 36 years.
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