Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be involved in any cricket match within the city during his trip to India in December, a source privy to the developments informed PTI on Saturday. “He is not going to play any cricket match in Mumbai. It will be only soft-ball, soft-touch [football matches] with him. It will be a celebration of his journey with the presence of Indian celebrities,” said the source.
While all arrangements have been made for Messi’s trip to the country, the source said they are still awaiting confirmation from the former Barcelona player. “We are waiting for an official announcement from Messi, maybe on his social media handle anytime soon,” said the source. Kolkata is scheduled to be Messi’s first destination on his India sojourn.
As per the itinerary, Messi will land in Kolkata on the night of December 12 and will stay in the city for two days. In that time, he will inaugurate a 70-foot statue of himself at Lake Town and will then head to Eden Gardens for a tribute concert and the ‘GOAT Cup’. “He will play the GOAT Cup — a seven-side soft-ball, soft-touch game with Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, Bhaichung Bhutia among others. It will be a celebration play in respect of Messi,” the source explained.
The former Barcelona player will arrive in Mumbai on December 14 where another musical tribute act and a ‘GOAT Cup’ awaits him at the Wankhede Stadium. Messi is also expected to interact with the Indian football team during his stay in Mumbai. The Argentine will then culminate his trip with a visit to Delhi where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi. The Inter Miami forward is also expected to deliver a football master-class to kids in every city on his India itinerary.
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