Lionel Messi Ends India Tour In New Delhi, Signals Desire To Return

Argentine icon, Lionel Messi has brought his high-profile visit to India to an end in New Delhi, rounding off a short but memorable tour that captured nationwide attention.

Lionel Messi addressed fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, December 15, where he spoke with warmth about the welcome he received and hinted at a possible return, ideally to play before Indian supporters.

The stop in the capital marked the final chapter of a hectic schedule that took Messi through Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi in just a few days.

The visit which was branded the GOAT Tour, included public appearances with closed-door engagements and drew passionate crowds at every location, all eager to see one of football’s most decorated figures in person.

Speaking in Spanish at the stadium, Messi thanked Indian fans for their affection and praised the hospitality shown throughout his stay. He admitted that while he had long been aware of his popularity in the country, experiencing it up close left a lasting impression.

“I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. It was truly a beautiful experience for us to be able to share it,” Messi said.

“And although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but experiencing it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us during those days. We carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion. We will certainly return to visit India. Thank you very much.”

Messi was accompanied throughout the tour by his Argentina teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. In Delhi, the trio were greeted by a lively crowd that stayed patient and upbeat despite delays, filling the stadium with chants and applause.

During his appearance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Messi also met ICC president Jay Shah, who presented him with a ticket for the India vs USA match at the 2026 T20 World Cup.