Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's touchdown in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy.
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.
'...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.'
Lionel Messi on Thursday confirmed his participation in the much-anticipated GOAT Tour of India 2025, calling it an "honour" to revisit the "passionate football nation" where he last played 14 years ago.
The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour that began in shambolic fashion ended in a blaze of glory as devotional fans joyously gathered to catch a glimpse of a man that does things on the field that are often beyond human comprehension.
Indian men's football team captain Sandesh Jhingan on Wednesday questioned the logic of spending crores on Lionel Messi's high-profile 'GOAT Tour', saying the extravagance has forced him to think if anyone is really concerned about investing in Indian football, which has effectively come to a standstill.
Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India has received its final seal of approval with the Argentine superstar set to kick off his three-city tour in Kolkata on December 12.
IFA Shield Final: Mohun Bagan set up third Kolkata derby in three months after win over United SC
"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.
The MRA expires on 8th December 2025.
Both franchises are owned by Sanjiv Goenka.
MLS begins a transformative season with Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and record transfers as North America prepares to host the World Cup.
The upcoming Durand Cup may have only six Indian Super League (ISL) teams in the fray, down from 12 last season.
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has sent his signed 2022 World Cup victorious jersey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 75th birthday.
Earlier, MBSG had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to shift their September 30 ACL 2 match against Sepahan SC out of Iran, citing safety concerns.
Liston Colaco struck a brace as 10-man Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 to begin their Durand Cup campaign at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.
Lionel Messi's much-anticipated 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' just got bigger with Hyderabad added as the new southern leg stop to ensure fans in the region are not "deprived" of seeing their idol following the cancellation of Argentina's proposed friendly in Kerala.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant ended a 22-year wait for the IFA Shield title, prevailing 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout over arch-rivals East Bengal after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata, on Saturday.
Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.
Police said there were intelligence inputs that attempts would be made to trigger violence during the match, because of which it was cancelled.
Substitute Enwer Annayev struck late as Turkmenistan's Ahal FK stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in their opening Group C match of the AFC Champions League 2
Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi will return to India in October to play an exhibition match in Kerala.
The senior India squad began its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on August 15 ahead of next month's CAFA Nations Cup, but 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, have skipped the camp.
Sunil Chhetri said he would like to be remembered as 'the luckiest and most hardworking national team player'.
The Mariners had successfully defended their ISL Shield to book a direct berth in ACL 2, finishing eight points clear of FC Goa.
Bengaluru FC on Tuesday claimed that its owner Parth Jindal suffered "burns and bruises" in a "cowardly attack" by a section of home fans on travelling supporters during Saturday's Indian Super League (ISL) Cup final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata.
East Bengal ride Diamantakos brace to knock out Bagan, set Durand Cup semis against Diamond Harbour
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
The match will take place between November 10 and 18, and is likely to be played Kochi.
The Argentina captain's Kolkata schedule on December 13 will begin at 9am with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-feet statue of him at the Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road.
League winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant will fancy their chances of completing a double when they take on a formidable Bengaluru FC in the final of the ISL Cup in Kolkata on Saturday.
A spectacular pile-driver from former international Deepak Mondal gave Prayag United the necessary lead to help it upset the Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan 2-1, in a 16th round I-League match, played at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata on Sunday.
The completed banner will be 340 feet long and 75 feet wide, which the Mohun Bagan fans say will topple the world record for largest hand-painted tifo.
The club alleged that two of their fans were killed in police lathi-charge during the semi-final against Mohun Bagan.
The fixtures for the first phase of the tournament, which gets underway on November 28.
Chhetri, who has scored 94 goals from 150 international appearances and the other 26 around him will now continue their training camp in Kolkata, where they will have their first on-field training session on Thursday, May 30.
The Asian Football Confederation tweeted, "94 International Goals. Carried the hopes of a nation! Thank You Asian Football Icon, Sunil Chhetri."
'I've come here as a commoner. Justice is needed to ensure that this incident is never repeated.'
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