Messi Delhi arrival created massive excitement as the football legend reached India’s capital on December 15, 2025. This marked the final stop of his G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. However, foggy weather initially delayed his morning flight from Mumbai. Eventually, he arrived around noon and headed straight to The Leela Palace hotel.
The Argentine World Cup winner stayed in a presidential suite costing between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh per night. Furthermore, hotel staff received strict instructions to maintain complete privacy regarding his stay.
Sachin Tendulkar gifted his 2011 World Cup jersey to goat Leo Messi. Messi is on India tour. Today he is in Mumbai, tomorrow he will be in Delhi. #MessiInMumbai #MessiInIndia pic.twitter.com/q86n2D0Vsb
— Rosesh (@roseshpoet) December 14, 2025
Delhi Schedule
Complete Timeline
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Arrival from Mumbai | Airport |
| 12:30 PM | Check-in | The Leela Palace |
| 1:30 PM | Event begins | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| 2:30 PM | VIP meetings | Private venue |
| 2:50 PM | Celebrity match | Stadium |
| 3:30 PM | Messi joins event | Stadium |
| 3:45 PM | Youth clinic | Stadium |
| 4:20 PM | Exhibition match | Stadium |
| 6:15 PM | Depart hotel | – |
| 8:00 PM | Leave India | Airport |
High-Profile Meetings
Messi met several important personalities during his brief visit. Most notably, he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, he met the Chief Justice of India and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The football icon also interacted with Indian sporting champions:
- Virat Kohli (Cricket captain)
- Rohit Sharma (Cricket star)
- Sumit Antil (Paralympic gold medalist)
- Nikhat Zareen (Boxing world champion)
- Nishad Kumar (Olympic high jump medalist)
Moreover, Messi attended a special event at Purana Qila hosted by Adidas.
Stadium Event Highlights
The main public event took place at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Gates opened at 11:30 AM for thousands of excited fans. The program officially began at 1:30 PM.
Event Activities
- Celebrity football match at 2:50 PM
- Messi’s appearance around 3:30 PM
- Youth football clinic with 30 children from Minerva Academy
- G.O.A.T Cup exhibition match at 4:20 PM
Fans who couldn’t attend watched live broadcasts through Sony LIV, Prasar Bharati YouTube channel, and DD Sports TV.
Exclusive Meet and Greet
A closed-door session took place at The Leela Palace. Corporate guests paid up to Rs 1 crore for this exclusive opportunity. The meet-and-greet allowed select VIP guests to interact personally with the football legend.
Security around the hotel resembled a fortress. Authorities learned from previous tour stops where chaotic scenes occurred.
Previous Tour Stops
Before Delhi, Messi visited three other Indian cities:
- Kolkata: Salt Lake Stadium event marred by crowd chaos
- Hyderabad: Successful fan interaction
- Mumbai: Met Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood stars
Each city welcomed him enthusiastically. However, organizers improved security arrangements progressively.
Tour Significance
The G.O.A.T India Tour 2025 marked Messi’s first major visit to India. The tour promoted football development and inspired young Indian players. Furthermore, it strengthened sports diplomacy between Argentina and India.
Messi’s interactions with cricket stars highlighted the unity between different sports. The tour successfully bridged football and cricket communities.
Public Response
Tickets sold out within hours of announcement. Fans gathered outside The Leela Palace, hoping for glimpses. Social media buzzed with excitement throughout the day.
Despite the brief six-hour visit, Messi Delhi appearance in Delhi left lasting memories for Indian sports fans and inspired countless young footballers across the nation.
