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Lionel Messi lands in India for GOAT Tour 2025; Kolkata witnesses massive fan turnout at 3.30 am: ‘Mohabbat hai’

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Lionel Messi lands in India for GOAT Tour 2025; Kolkata witnesses massive fan turnout at 3.30 am: ‘Mohabbat hai’

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s arrival in Kolkata early on Saturday sparked scenes rarely witnessed in the city. The icon touched down as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025, and despite the pre-dawn timing, excitement was already at a fever pitch across the City of Joy.

Watch the video when Messi landed in India:

Flying in from Miami with a stopover in Dubai, the World Cup-winning captain landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to a massive turnout. Thousands of fans lined the airport’s perimeter, many waving Argentina flags and calling out his name, hoping for at least a fleeting glimpse of the legend.

Security around the terminal was tight, with the police forming multiple layers of protection as crowds surged forward. Visuals from the airport show Messi closely escorted by security officials and airport staff. The frenzy did not die down even after he left the airport.

From the moment Messi’s convoy left the airport to his arrival at the Hyatt Regency, where he is staying, fans followed relentlessly. Videos circulating online show him being trailed by cheering supporters, with chants of “Messi Messi” echoing through the streets as people ran alongside vehicles and held their phones high to capture the once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Here are some of the videos that capture the sheer scale of the Messi mania that unfolded in Kolkata.

One of the videos captures the scene at around 3.30 am on Saturday – streets packed with fans who had lined up just to welcome Messi as his car drove past.

From as early as 6 am, supporters began gathering outside the Salt Lake City Stadium, eager for a chance to see Messi once the event kicked off. Many fans turned up dressed in Argentina and Barcelona jerseys, while others held up placards, creating a festive atmosphere hours before the programme was set to begin.

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The excitement around Lionel Messi’s India visit has sent emotions soaring, with fans from different corners of the subcontinent sharing just how deeply the football icon has shaped their lives.

One devoted supporter summed up a lifelong bond with the Argentine star, saying, “I have loved Messi since 2007… ‘Mohabbat hai’… In 2026, we will get the World Cup again. Argentina will be the champion…”

Another group of fans travelled all the way from the Northeast to be part of the moment. Brimming with excitement, one of them said, “We are from Meghalaya. We are very excited. We are huge fans of Messi. We are very happy…”

The pull of Messi’s presence crossed national borders too. A fan who travelled from Nepal to Kolkata described the moment as deeply personal: “I am from Nepal. I am very excited because seeing Messi was my childhood dream. I can’t express my feelings in words. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is why I have come to Kolkata from Nepal…”

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For one newlywed couple, Messi’s visit even took precedence over their honeymoon plans. Sharing their decision, they said, “… Last Friday we got married, and we cancelled our honeymoon plan because Messi is coming as this is important… We have been following him since 2010…”

Adding to the frenzy, Kolkata’s Sree Bhumi Sporting Club has unveiled a massive 70-foot iron statue of Lionel Messi in Lake Town, claiming it is the largest monument dedicated to the football superstar in the world.

Messi is currently in India as part of his three-day GOAT India Tour 2025, which spans four cities and kicks off in Kolkata. This marks his second visit to the country, having previously played a friendly match against Venezuela in the city back in 2011. After his Kolkata appearance on Friday, Messi is set to fly to Hyderabad the same day. The tour continues in Mumbai on day two, before wrapping up in New Delhi on Monday.

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