Argentine football icon and World Cup winner, Lionel Messi’s arrival in Kolkata for his much-hyped three-day “GOAT Tour” was always going to draw attention. Yet, the most telling moment did not come from flashing cameras or security convoys. It came from a young female fan at the airport, standing quietly with a handwritten placard that read: “Save Indian Football.” The clip, brief and unfiltered, spread rapidly across social media, striking a chord with fans who saw in it a reflection of the game’s current reality in the country.
Messi has already landed in India, and will be in the country from December 13 to 15, travelling through four cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi — in a tightly choreographed schedule. The football icon’s visit is more of a whirlwind promotional tour packed into 72 hours, marked more by optics than sporting substance.
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That contrast feels particularly sharp given the current state of the sport in the country. Indian football is in a prolonged phase of uncertainty. The All India Football Federation has been unable to lock in sponsors and a broadcast partner for the Indian Super League. Despite it being mid-December, there is still no clear indication of when the league will restart, or whether it will return in its usual form at all.
Against this backdrop, Messi’s India trip feels detached from footballing reality. In Kolkata, he is scheduled to virtually unveil a 70-foot statue before moving on to Hyderabad, where he will be part of a 7v7 exhibition game that includes Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy. His itinerary also includes meetings with three chief ministers, the prime minister and several high-profile celebrities.
There was earlier information that Sunil Chhetri, India’s former captain and one of the highest goalscorers in international football history, had declined an invitation to meet Messi, suggesting such a meeting would carry little meaning. That position has since changed, with the two now expected to meet in Mumbai on December 14, reportedly following political pressure. The interaction is believed to be a one-off.
Beyond Chhetri, no Indian footballers are scheduled to interact with Messi. Ironically, the ISL’s absence could have allowed players the time to meet someone many of them grew up admiring. No such opportunity has been created. Messi’s time in India has instead been allocated to politicians, Bollywood personalities and senior sports officials.
Additionally, organisers have rolled out a premium meet-and-greet experience priced at Rs 10 lakh, giving a limited number of fans the chance to shake hands with the football icon and take a photograph. The ultra-exclusive ticket has sparked widespread debate, with many supporters pointing out that the amount puts the experience far beyond the reach of ordinary fans, turning what could have been a rare footballing memory into a luxury reserved for a select few.
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