News for 'Lionel Messi'

Messi to meet PM Modi, CJI, Army chief in Delhi

Messi to meet PM Modi, CJI, Army chief in Delhi

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

The final day of the GOAT India Tour will also see Messi exchanging greetings with two members of the Indian cricket team at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium.

Delhi awaits Messi as Kohli touches down

Delhi awaits Messi as Kohli touches down

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were spotted at Delhi airport on Sunday morning after flying in from Mumbai, with the couple's arrival immediately sparking buzz around Lionel Messi's ongoing GOAT India Tour.

Messi brings smiles to young footballers in Delhi

Messi brings smiles to young footballers in Delhi

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi lit up the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the final leg of his G.O.A.T India Tour got underway in Delhi on Monday.

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The TMC and BJP have engaged in a blame game following a chaotic Lionel Messi event at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, which saw spectators storming the field and the main organiser being arrested for alleged mismanagement.

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is not scheduled to play serious football on the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025'.

Cristiano Ronaldo talks of partnering Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo talks of partnering Lionel Messi

Rediff.com14 Dec 2016

After lifting his fourth Ballon d'or award, Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that the competition for the trophy would have been fiercer if he and Lionel Messi were in the same team. Ronaldo, who inspired Zinedine Zidane's side to the Champions League glory and Portugal to the European Championship 2016 trophy, defeated Messi and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann to win the coveted prize.

Meet Messi's Ultimate Superfans In India!

Meet Messi's Ultimate Superfans In India!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi extends Inter Miami contract to 2028

Messi extends Inter Miami contract to 2028

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Lionel Messi has extended his contract with MLS side Inter Miami to 2028, the club announced on Thursday.

World's largest Messi statue unveiled in Kolkata

World's largest Messi statue unveiled in Kolkata

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on Saturday virtually unveiled his towering 70-foot statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata.

Have you met Lionel Messi's sexy girlfriend?

Have you met Lionel Messi's sexy girlfriend?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2014

But can Lionel Messi secure a place among the game's greats with a World Cup triumph? But for now on a lighter note we bring Messi's better half, Antonella Roccuzzo.

CM Reddy trains as Hyderabad awaits Messi visit

CM Reddy trains as Hyderabad awaits Messi visit

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is expected to kick off a friendly football match to be attended by legend Lionel Messi during his visit to Hyderabad on December 13.

Messi's Kerala visit in November postponed

Messi's Kerala visit in November postponed

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Messi's last visit with the Argentina team to India was back in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a friendly match at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

Messi Thanks India After G.O.A.T. tour

Messi Thanks India After G.O.A.T. tour

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

'...we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India.'

The highs and lows of Lionel Messi's Argentina career

The highs and lows of Lionel Messi's Argentina career

Rediff.com28 Jun 2016

Argentina's star player Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from international football after missing a penalty in the team's 2-4 defeat against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Following Messi's retirement from international football, Rediff.com lists the highs and lows from the player's Argentina career...

Hyderabad shows how it's done as Messi delivers

Hyderabad shows how it's done as Messi delivers

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's programme in Hyderabad was in stark contrast to the mayhem in Kolkata as the second leg of the GOAT India Tour ended on a positive note thanks to thorough preparations, sound planning, and discipline.

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The police in Kolkata have arrested the organiser of the event surrounding Argentine footballer Lionel Messi's visit to the Salt Lake Stadium after chaos broke out when the superstar stayed only for a few minutes and was not visible to most fans in attendance.

Messi returning to Barca? No, says club president

Messi returning to Barca? No, says club president

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Messi's return to Barca not realistic, says club president Laporta

PHOTOS: Lionel Messi statue in Buenos Aires broken in two

PHOTOS: Lionel Messi statue in Buenos Aires broken in two

Rediff.com11 Jan 2017

A statue of Lionel Messi in Argentina's capital has been broken in half, with the player's upper body, arms and head removed.

From mayhem to magic: How Messi changed lives in Kolkata

From mayhem to magic: How Messi changed lives in Kolkata

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour began amid chaos and vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, but for former India players Dipendu Biswas and Syed Rahim Nabi, it still turned into the moment of a lifetime in Kolkata on Saturday.

Messi in Mumbai amid 'World Cup level' security

Messi in Mumbai amid 'World Cup level' security

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Mumbai around noon on Sunday under "World Cup level" security measures, marking the second day of his four-city 'GOAT India Tour 2025'.

Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi's record

Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi's record

Rediff.com10 Jun 2018

Sunil Chhetri became the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players along with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi

Can Lionel Messi win the missing crown?

Can Lionel Messi win the missing crown?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2014

After a spectacular haul of trophies with Barcelona, Lionel Messi has a chance to lead Argentina to glory on the World Cup stage and build on his reputation as one of the all-time greats.

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Political parties in West Bengal, including the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, have condemned the organizers of an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata after it descended into chaos due to spectators' inability to properly view the football star. Demands for action and accountability have been made.

Messi magic fires Miami to first-ever MLS Cup title

Messi magic fires Miami to first-ever MLS Cup title

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Inter Miami secured their first MLS Cup crown on Saturday, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium as Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende struck late from a pair of Lionel Messi assists.

FACTBOX: Ballon d'or winner Lionel Messi

FACTBOX: Ballon d'or winner Lionel Messi

Rediff.com8 Jan 2013

Factbox on Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi who won the Ballon d'Or for world player of the year for an unprecedented fourth successive time on Monday.

Rousing welcome for Lionel Messi in Kolkata

Rousing welcome for Lionel Messi in Kolkata

Rediff.com31 Aug 2011

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata in the wee hours on Wednesday but more than 1500 frenzied fans were left heartbroken as securitymen whisked the Argentine superstar away through the VIP gate.

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Angry fans hurled bottles and damaged fibreglass seats, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Messi's Special Birthday Gift For Modi

Messi's Special Birthday Gift For Modi

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has sent his signed 2022 World Cup victorious jersey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 75th birthday.

Former Barca teammate to join Messi's India tour!

Former Barca teammate to join Messi's India tour!

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

"Game Set Match... So it's now confirmed and official. World Cup winner Argentine superstar Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguayan and Barcelona legend Luis Surez will join Messi for the 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' Vamos," posted organiser Satadru Dutta on social media.

Messi-led Argentina call off Kerala visit

Messi-led Argentina call off Kerala visit

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

The minister had earlier insisted that the Messi-led Argentina side would visit the state as announced by the government, and that the sponsor had already paid the match fee for the event.

All you wanted to know about Lionel Messi

All you wanted to know about Lionel Messi

Rediff.com10 Jan 2012

Passed the milestone of 200 goals for Barcelona in November 2011 and is fast closing in on the Catalan club's record marksman Cesar Rodriguez, who scored 235.

Messi leads new-look Argentina squad for WC qualifiers

Messi leads new-look Argentina squad for WC qualifiers

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Argentina's national team unveiled a revamped 31-man squad on Monday, led by Lionel Messi, for the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador for the 2026 World Cup.

Messi to assess fitness as he targets 2026 WC

Messi to assess fitness as he targets 2026 WC

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

'I'm really eager because it's a World Cup. We're coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it's always a dream to play with the national team.'

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's touchdown in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy.

All you need to know about Lionel Messi

All you need to know about Lionel Messi

Rediff.com27 Jun 2016

A factbox on Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

The chief organizer of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, where chaos erupted, has been remanded to 14-day police custody. The arrest follows allegations of mismanagement during Messi's appearance, which led to widespread frustration and vandalism among spectators.

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the "planning or execution" of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Messi suspension sparks uproar in MLS

Messi suspension sparks uproar in MLS

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday.

Spain vs Argentina Finalissima in doubt after Middle East strikes

Spain vs Argentina Finalissima in doubt after Middle East strikes

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The Finalissima match between Spain and Argentina in Doha is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.