Kolkata, Dec 13: The city witnessed scenes of pure frenzy in the early hours of Saturday as thousands turned up past midnight to welcome Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, who arrived in Kolkata as part of his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
Messi landed at 2.26 am, sparking wild celebrations at the international arrivals area. Gate 4 overflowed with chanting fans, waving flags and mobile phone flashes, as people rushed between gates hoping for even a brief glimpse of the global superstar.
Children sat on shoulders, drums echoed through the night, and the atmosphere turned electric as Messi was escorted out through the VIP gate amid tight security arrangements.
A long convoy accompanied him to his hotel, where another large crowd had been waiting late into the night. Barricades, heavy police presence, and nonstop cheers underscored the scale of the excitement, turning the city into a hub of “Messi mania.”
Messi arrived alongside longtime teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. During his 72-hour visit, he is scheduled to travel to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, with meetings lined up with chief ministers, business leaders, film personalities and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
