Argentine football star Lionel Messi barely had a chance to take in Kolkata when he arrived for his GOAT Tour. From the very first step at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, the Argentine icon was engulfed by layers of police and military security, moving through the terminal like a visiting head of state. Cameras followed every move, fans craned their necks, and the atmosphere instantly felt larger than life.
Just a few metres away, the mood could not have been more different. Luis Suarez, Messi’s long-time partner on and off the pitch, was spotted strolling through the same airport with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. No security swarm, no tight cordon, just a relaxed walk that quickly became social media gold. The viral video summed it up perfectly: Messi under heavy guard, Suarez enjoying a calm Kolkata welcome, while fellow Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul also moved about with minimal fuss.
Watch the video:
Messi is in India from December 13 to 15 on a tightly packed tour that stretches across four cities. He arrives fresh from another career milestone, having guided Inter Miami to their maiden Major League Soccer title earlier this week, a success that marked the 48th trophy of his remarkable career. The tour, promoted by Satadru Dutta, includes Suarez, Messi’s former Barcelona strike partner, and FIFA World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, adding further star power to the visit.
Kolkata serves as the opening stop of Messi’s whirlwind schedule. He is expected to reach the Salt Lake Stadium around 11:30 AM before departing for Hyderabad later in the day. During his time in the city, Messi is also set to virtually unveil a 70-foot statue installed near the clock tower in Sribhumi, Lake Town, celebrating his influence on the sport.
His Kolkata itinerary extends beyond football. Meetings are scheduled with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while a meeting with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is also on the cards, with the actor already in the city with his sons.
For Messi, the visit doubles as a return to familiar ground. He last played in Kolkata in 2011, leading Argentina to a 1–0 victory over Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly. More than a decade later, his comeback has stirred nostalgia, even as a light-hearted airport moment reminded fans why his presence still commands unmatched attention.
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