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Lionel Messi linked up with Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri during the Mumbai leg of the 2025 GOAT Tour. The Bengaluru FC skipper arrived to greet the Argentine maestro during the GOAT India Tour, wearing a special Messi No.10 kit on his back.
Chhetri was in attendance at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, where the Mumbai leg of the GOAT India Tour was hosted. The former Indian captain received a roaring applause from the fans when he made his entrance for the event.
The crowd chanted 'Chhetri, Chhetri' as the 41-year-old made his way to the turf of the Wankhede Stadium. The Bengaluru FC star hugged Lionel Messi and the two posed for photos for the journalists. He also shook hands with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul who accompanied their Inter Miami teammate for the India tour. Here is a video of Messi and Chhetri together (via Doordarshan Sports):
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Apart from Sunil Chhetri, GOAT of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar also met Lionel Messi at the event. The two greats gifted each other their jerseys in a moment to savour for millions of fans.
Sunil Chhetri is one of the greatest players ever to grace Indian football and has been pivotal for India over the last two decades. He has represented India on 142 occasions scoring 86 times while producing 11 assists. He is the seventh-highest goalscorer in international football.
Indian football great Bhaichung Bhutia makes feelings clear about Lionel Messi GOAT tour in Kolkata
Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia slammed the VIP culture in India following the chaos involving Lionel Messi GOAT tour in Kolkata. The former Barcelona superstar's visit to India started on a sour note at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13.
Speaking to ANI, Bhaichung Bhutia condemned the situation and highlighted how influential people ruined the experience of thousands of football fans. He said:
"I think it's very unfortunate. I think the organisers did their best, but sometimes it gets out of control, especially VIP culture - it becomes very difficult even to the organisers to stop a lot of VIPs who are not supposed to be there as well, I think they entered and crowded. The genuine fans did not really get to see Messi. So, I think that was where the fans were very upset."
He added:
"Hopefully, I think these kinds of mistakes don't happen...I heard 80,000 people came in to see Messi. Knowing that Messi is worshipped in Kolkata and in India, when they get disappointed paying such a high-price and coming from such faraway places, I think it's very disappointing. I think the Govt has taken some steps and action...My only suggestion is that I think in future this has to be really well-organised and at the same time, lot of unwanted VIPs surrounding should be avoided."
Lionel Messi was surrounded by VIPs and political leaders of West Bengal as fans were deprived from having a glimpse of their hero. Outrage from the fans resulted in the Inter Miami superstar leaving the stadium within just ten minutes.
