Global football icon Lionel Messi brought Delhi to a standstill on Monday as the final leg of his much-hyped GOAT Tour of India 2025 unfolded at the packed Arun Jaitley Stadium. Thousands of fans turned up to catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend, chanting his name as he entered the venue, creating an electric atmosphere rarely seen in the capital.
Messi, accompanied by former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, received a rousing welcome. The trio took a lap around the stadium, waved to the crowd, and later conducted a football clinic for young players. The dribbling session with kids became one of the most heartwarming moments of the evening, leaving young footballers with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah met Messi at the stadium and presented him with a special set of gifts, including an autographed cricket bat, an Indian cricket team jersey, and a ticket for an ICC T20 World Cup match. The gesture symbolised the growing cultural bridge between cricket and football in India. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was also present during the interaction.
Messi had arrived in Delhi earlier in the afternoon after his chartered flight from Mumbai was delayed due to fog. Despite the delay, fan enthusiasm remained undimmed, with security tightened across key locations including the airport and hotel. After spending around half an hour at the stadium, Messi departed for Purana Qila, where he was scheduled to meet the Chief Justice of India, the Army Chief, the Argentine Ambassador, and other senior officials.
The Delhi leg marked the conclusion of Messi’s whirlwind India visit, which earlier saw massive turnouts in Hyderabad and Mumbai. As the GOAT Tour came to an end, it left behind unforgettable scenes, inspiring countless young fans and reaffirming Lionel Messi’s unmatched global appeal.
