Cricket superstar Virat Kohli returned to India from London on Saturday, accompanied by his wife, actress Anushka Sharma. The couple’s arrival at Mumbai’s Kalina airport quickly went viral on social media, sparking speculation among fans that they may be in India to meet football legend Lionel Messi, who is currently on a three-day “GOAT tour” across the country. Messi’s tour, which began on December 13, will cover Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Kohli, who now resides in London, had traveled to England after India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa concluded earlier this month. Fans were quick to connect the star couple’s visit with Messi’s highly anticipated appearances. The Argentine football icon arrived in Kolkata early Saturday and later moved on to Hyderabad, with Mumbai next on his itinerary.
Messi’s visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, however, was far from smooth. Planned as a historic celebration of the sport, the event instead highlighted significant lapses in planning and crowd management. Thousands of fans, some having paid hefty amounts up to Rs 20,000 through the black market, were left frustrated as they struggled to catch even a glimpse of Messi. The chaotic scenes underscored deeper issues in Indian football, including declining standards and administrative challenges.
This visit also comes amid India’s disappointing performance on the global stage, with the national team falling to 142nd in the latest FIFA rankings, its lowest since October 2016. Despite the setbacks, Messi’s presence brought global attention to India’s football scene, though the organization of events left much to be desired.
Fans remain excited about the possibility of a meeting between Kohli, Anushka, and Messi, while the country continues to experience both the thrill of hosting one of the greatest footballers of all time and the frustrations of inadequate event management. The next stops on Messi’s tour, including Mumbai and New Delhi, are expected to attract similar anticipation and scrutiny.
