Football icon Lionel Messi kicked off his much-anticipated ‘GOAT Tour’ of India today by unveiling a towering 70-foot statue in his honor at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The unveiling marked the opening of the three-day tour, drawing massive crowds and global attention.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner arrived at the stadium earlier in the day and took part in the ceremonial proceedings, which were attended by a host of prominent personalities.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan were among the notable figures expected at the event, according to NDTV Sports.
Ahead of the ceremony, Messi also met Shah Rukh Khan, industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, and other dignitaries. However, the Argentine legend’s early departure from the stadium sparked visible agitation among fans, many of whom had gathered hours in advance to catch a glimpse of the football great.
Messi is scheduled to depart for Hyderabad today evening, continuing the first leg of his India tour, during which he will participate in a series of events across multiple cities.
The ‘GOAT Tour’ has generated enormous excitement across the country, underlining Messi’s enduring popularity and India’s growing passion for global football icons.
