New Delhi: Lionel Messi’s much-celebrated ‘GOAT India Tour’ concluded on Monday with a grand finale at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the Argentine football legend was felicitated by International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah and presented with the first official ticket to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The 38-year-old World Cup-winning captain arrived at the stadium around 4.20 pm and was greeted by a packed venue filled with cheering fans. After taking a few laps around the ground and acknowledging supporters from all sides of the stadium, Messi exchanged pleasantries with Jay Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking the final public appearance of his three-day India visit.
Grand welcome at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Messi’s arrival at the iconic cricket venue drew loud applause, reflecting the unprecedented enthusiasm his visit generated across the country. The Argentine star acknowledged the crowd with waves and smiles before participating in a brief on-field interaction.
During the ceremony, Jay Shah felicitated Messi with a Team India jersey bearing the iconic No. 10 and also presented him with a signed cricket bat. The moment symbolised the growing crossover appeal between football and cricket in India and highlighted the use of sport as a bridge between cultures.
First ticket to T20 World Cup 2026
The highlight of the evening came when Jay Shah presented Messi with an invitational ticket to India’s opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and is scheduled to feature 20 teams.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will begin its World Cup campaign against the United States on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As soon as the ticket was handed over, the crowd erupted in applause, with chants echoing across the stadium, underscoring the significance of the moment.
Honours for Suarez and de Paul
Messi was accompanied by his close associates and Argentina teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, who were also honoured during the event. Both players were presented with Team India jerseys, with Suarez receiving the No. 9 jersey and de Paul the No. 7.
The trio posed for photographs with Jay Shah and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, offering fans memorable visuals from the final stop of the tour.
Messi thanks Indian fans
Addressing the gathering, Messi delivered a brief but heartfelt speech in Spanish, expressing gratitude for the warmth and affection shown to him throughout his stay in India.
“I want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India – it was a truly beautiful experience for us,” Messi said.
He added that the memories would stay with him and his teammates for a long time. “We carry all this love with us. We will definitely return – hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India. Thank you very much,” he said, drawing another round of applause.
Tour marked by massive fan following
Delhi marked the final leg of Messi’s India tour, which began in Kolkata on Saturday and also included stops in Hyderabad and Mumbai. At each destination, thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the football icon, highlighting his immense popularity in a cricket-dominated nation.
In Kolkata, fans thronged the streets in the early hours, while in Hyderabad and Mumbai, packed venues and emotional scenes dominated social media platforms. Several viral stories emerged during the tour, including fans travelling long distances and even postponing personal milestones to see Messi in person.
Early hiccup in Kolkata
The tour, however, did not begin without controversy. Messi’s first appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata was cut short to about 15 minutes due to alleged mismanagement. This led to chaotic scenes, with some fans reportedly hurling water bottles and breaking chairs inside the stadium.
Organisers later acknowledged lapses and tightened arrangements for subsequent events. From Hyderabad onwards, the tour proceeded smoothly, with better crowd control and security measures in place.
Travel delays due to weather
Messi’s arrival in Delhi was slightly delayed as his flight from Mumbai was affected by dense fog in the national capital. Despite the delay, the programme at the Arun Jaitley Stadium went ahead as scheduled, bringing the tour to a memorable close.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s India visit concluded on a high note, blending football fandom with cricketing symbolism. The presentation of the first T20 World Cup 2026 ticket to the Argentine star marked a unique moment in Indian sporting history. Despite a brief setback in Kolkata, the ‘GOAT India Tour’ succeeded in capturing the imagination of fans nationwide, reinforcing Messi’s enduring global appeal and India’s growing role in international sports engagement.