Highlights

  • Messi thanks India for warm hospitality during three-day tour
  • Visits Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, interacts with f
  • ansHopes for a bright future for football in India

Latest news

Realme Buds Air8 Pro Review: The New Benchmark for TWS Under ₹10,000 

Realme Buds Air8 Pro Review: The New Benchmark for TWS Under ₹10,000 

KRAFTON India Drops Another Wave of Exclusive BGMI Redeem Code Rewards

KRAFTON India Drops Another Wave of Exclusive BGMI Redeem Code Rewards

IAIRO appoints AvenuesAI's CMD Vishal Mehta as Technical Advisor

IAIRO appoints AvenuesAI's CMD Vishal Mehta as Technical Advisor

US Fed battles inflation risks as uncertainty over Iran war has oil on fire

US Fed battles inflation risks as uncertainty over Iran war has oil on fire

Patong Stay & Dine Package at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort

Patong Stay & Dine Package at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort

Anlon Technology Solutions Limited Announces H2 FY26 & FY26 Results

Anlon Technology Solutions Limited Announces H2 FY26 & FY26 Results

RISE Infraventures Closes FY26 with 4,840 Cr GTV, Expands National Presence with Bengaluru Office

RISE Infraventures Closes FY26 with 4,840 Cr GTV, Expands National Presence with Bengaluru Office

'Drishyam 3' earns Rs 200 crore globally in first week, Mohanlal thanks fans

'Drishyam 3' earns Rs 200 crore globally in first week, Mohanlal thanks fans

I hope football has bright future in India: Messi after 'amazing' tour

Lionel Messi thanked India for its warm hospitality during his three-day tour and expressed hope for a bright future for football in the country, visiting Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

I hope football has bright future in India: Messi after 'amazing' tour

Lionel Messi hoped that football has a "bright future" in India and expressed gratitude for the "generous hospitality" that he received during a whirlwind three-day tour, which had thousands of fans jostling to catch a glimpse of the Argentine star in four different cities.

Messi, after extending his stay by a day to visit the Anant Ambani-founded Vantara wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre in Jamnagar, left for his base in Miami on Wednesday.

Taking to Instagram, the 38-year-old posted a one-minute highlights clip of the tour, featuring his interactions with Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, and several young footballers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

"What amazing visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Thank you for the warm reception, generous hospitality, and all the feelings of love with which you surrounded me throughout my tour. I hope that football has a bright future in India," he wrote underneath the video.

His good wishes come at a time when Indian football finds itself at its lowest ebb. The domestic season has been brought to a halt for the want of a commercial partner, and the national team's fortunes have been in a free-fall following a string of poor results. An ongoing court case over administrative issues has further deepened policy paralysis.

The superstar striker, who is among the most recognisable and adored sportspersons in the world, did not play any competitive football during the trip. He was accompanied by Uruguay great and close friend Luis Suarez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo de Paul.

Messi made stadium appearances for ticketed events in all four cities, starting with Kolkata, where things turned ugly after politicians and officials surrounded him, denying fans who had paid thousands for a seat a clear view of the icon. Agitated by this, the gathered spectators indulged in vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, prompting Messi to be whisked away sooner than originally planned.

However, his visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi passed off smoothly as he charmed fans by posing for pictures, showcasing some of his warm-up routines, and playing briefly with young players.

"...we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India," he said after the final leg of the tour in Delhi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

I hope football has bright future in India: Messi after 'amazing' tour

I hope football has bright future in India: Messi after 'amazing' tour

Iran 'negotiating' with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy

Iran 'negotiating' with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy

IPL first phase schedule announced amid travel concerns caused by war in West Asia

IPL first phase schedule announced amid travel concerns caused by war in West Asia

Rinku Singh’s father Khanchand Singh passes away after battling stage 4 liver cancer

Rinku Singh’s father Khanchand Singh passes away after battling stage 4 liver cancer

T20 World Cup: Abhishek, Hardik help India pulverise Zimbabwe by 72 runs; stay in semis race

T20 World Cup: Abhishek, Hardik help India pulverise Zimbabwe by 72 runs; stay in semis race

T20 World Cup: Clinical South Africa hammer West Indies by nine wickets, tighten grip on semifinal spot

T20 World Cup: Clinical South Africa hammer West Indies by nine wickets, tighten grip on semifinal spot

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

New Zealand knock out Sri Lanka from T20 World Cup with dominant Super Eight win

New Zealand knock out Sri Lanka from T20 World Cup with dominant Super Eight win

T20 World Cup: India seek answers to top-order worries in must-win Super 8s game against Zimbabwe

T20 World Cup: India seek answers to top-order worries in must-win Super 8s game against Zimbabwe

Ranji Trophy Final: J&K consolidate to 527/6 as sparks fly post Dogra head-butt

Ranji Trophy Final: J&K consolidate to 527/6 as sparks fly post Dogra head-butt

Lucknow Super Giants unveil new logo ahead of IPL 2026 season

Lucknow Super Giants unveil new logo ahead of IPL 2026 season

It was a mistake: Bucknor regrets wrong decision against Tendulkar after 22 years

It was a mistake: Bucknor regrets wrong decision against Tendulkar after 22 years

Pakistan to tour Bangladesh next month for 3-match ODI series

Pakistan to tour Bangladesh next month for 3-match ODI series

Australia captain Marsh says team respects criticism back home for T20 World Cup debacle

Australia captain Marsh says team respects criticism back home for T20 World Cup debacle

Australia tour fiasco: Pakistan government revokes hockey captain Butt's 2-year ban

Australia tour fiasco: Pakistan government revokes hockey captain Butt's 2-year ban

Brevis, bowlers make short work of UAE as SA finish group stage with all-win record

Brevis, bowlers make short work of UAE as SA finish group stage with all-win record

J&K make history, enter Ranji Trophy final for first time in 67 years

J&K make history, enter Ranji Trophy final for first time in 67 years

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.