“I will be back,” says Lionel Messi as GOAT India Tour concludes on a high in Delhi
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The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour, which began amid chaos in Kolkata, ended on a triumphant note in Delhi on Monday.
The football legend promised fans he would return to the country after an unforgettable finale at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.
For a rare evening, football took centre stage at the iconic venue as thousands gathered to witness Lionel Messi in person. The atmosphere peaked when the Argentine great addressed the crowd, which included Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
“I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. It was truly a beautiful experience for us,” Messi said, speaking in Spanish to thunderous applause.
Though his stay was brief, Messi said the warmth he received left a lasting impression. “It was short and intense, but wonderful. We carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return — hopefully to play a match or on another occasion. But we will be back to visit India,” he added.
The Delhi event delivered the ending the tour had hoped for, especially after disorder marked its first stop in Kolkata. Around 25,000 fans at Kotla soaked in the spectacle as Messi took a lap of the ground, waved to cheering supporters clad in Argentina’s blue-and-white No. 10 jerseys, and occasionally kicked balls into the stands alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
Messi also felicitated the Minerva Academy team, posed for photos, and played briefly with children on the field, drawing loud cheers. During the ceremony, Jay Shah presented Messi with an Indian cricket team jersey bearing No. 10, while Suárez and De Paul received jerseys numbered 9 and 7, respectively.