Messi, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, arrived at the New Delhi stadium in the late afternoon and greeted thousands of cheering fans.
Lionel Messi’s India Tour Ends in Delhi: Receives First T20 World Cup Ticket from Jay Shah
Lionel Messi’s “GOAT India Tour 2025” concluded on Monday with a celebratory event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Messi was honoured by International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah and presented with the first ticket to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It is scheduled to begin in February next year, with India’s opening match against the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Messi, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, arrived at the New Delhi stadium in the late afternoon and greeted thousands of cheering fans. The crowd erupted into applause when Shah ceremonially handed Messi the inaugural T20 World Cup ticket as a symbol of goodwill between cricket and football. Messi and his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul were presented with Team India cricket jerseys and a signed cricket bat, gestures that highlighted the cross-sport camaraderie celebrated throughout the event.
In a brief address, Messi spoke in Spanish and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming love and support he received across India during the tour. He said, “I want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India; it was a truly beautiful experience for us,” adding that he hoped to return one day, possibly to play a match or for another special occasion.
The Delhi event marked the culmination of Messi’s multi-city tour, including stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. While most legs of the tour proceeded smoothly, his initial appearance in Kolkata was marred by organisational difficulties and crowd frustration. Nonetheless, the overall reception from Indian fans was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting Messi’s enduring global appeal.
Messi’s India tour not only showcased his immense popularity in the world’s second-largest country but also highlighted growing enthusiasm for football alongside cricket, India’s dominant sport.
Source: Hindustan Times
