Argus News - Messi in Mumbai: What You Need to Know about Argentine’s Mega Stop on the GOAT Tour

Mumbai, Dec 14: Lionel Messi’s whirlwind India GOAT Tour is set to enter its third and most glamorous leg as the football icon arrives in Mumbai on Sunday morning, flying in directly from Hyderabad.

After a chaotic yet electrifying start in Kolkata and a smoother, fan‑soaked stop in Hyderabad, Mumbai is preparing for its own Messi mania with a star‑studded itinerary packed into a single evening.

Messi’s India tour began in Kolkata, where thousands gathered outside the airport and hotel, causing massive traffic snarls and crowd‑control challenges. Despite the frenzy, Messi participated in a brief interaction with young footballers and attended a closed‑door training session. His presence turned the city into a carnival, with fans lining up for hours just to catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend.

Also read: Argentine’s Kolkata Statue Became India’s Latest Meme

Hyderabad offered a more controlled but equally passionate reception. Messi visited a grassroots football initiative, met local athletes, and attended a private dinner hosted by prominent industrialists. The city’s football community hailed his visit as a historic moment, with young players calling it “a dream come true.”

Now, Mumbai is gearing up to deliver the most glamorous chapter of the tour.

Messi’s first stop will be the padel tournament at the Cricket Club of India around 4:30 pm, where he is expected to team up with Indian sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar. The meeting of two global legends — one from football, one from cricket — is already generating massive buzz.

From there, Messi will head to the Wankhede Stadium for the GOAT Cup Exhibition Match, scheduled for 5 pm, with gates opening as early as 2 pm to manage the expected surge of fans. The kick‑off ceremony will feature a 7v7 celebrity match with top Bollywood stars adding glamour to the football spectacle.

The night will conclude with an exclusive fashion show for charity, attended by Jackie Shroff, John Abraham, Kareena Kapoor Khan and several other Bollywood personalities. The event will include an auction of Messi’s Qatar 2022 memorabilia, with proceeds directed toward charitable initiatives.

Ticket prices for the Wankhede event range from ₹8,850 to ₹14,750, and most categories are already nearing sell‑out status as Mumbai braces for a Messi‑powered Sunday.