Kolkata, December 13, 2025 - Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has arrived in Kolkata with his son, AbRam, adding to the buzz surrounding Lionel Messi's "GOAT India Tour 2025". Khan's arrival in the City of Joy has fueled excitement among fans, especially after he hinted at a potential meeting with the football legend at Salt Lake Stadium.
Earlier in the week, Shah Rukh Khan teased fans about his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, through a post on X. "This time round not planning my Knight in Kolkata… and hoping the day Ride is completely 'Messi'. See you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium," he wrote.
Lionel Messi has also landed in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday morning for the start of his GOAT India Tour 2025. Thousands of fans gathered at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to welcome the Argentinian football star. Kolkata is the first stop on Messi's three-day tour across four cities.
Messi's schedule in Kolkata includes a meet-and-greet session and the virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue at Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. The Salt Lake Stadium, which previously hosted Messi in 2011, is set to host concerts and special events during the tour.
The Argentinian footballer is expected to participate in different activities in Kolkata before leaving for Hyderabad on Saturday evening. In Hyderabad, Messi will participate in a 7v7 exhibition football match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expected to attend. The evening will conclude with a musical event celebrating Messi's career.
Following Hyderabad, Messi will travel to Mumbai and then to Delhi. The GOAT India Tour 2025 is designed as a pan-India celebration, starting in Kolkata and Hyderabad on December 13, continuing to Mumbai on December 14, and concluding in Delhi on December 15.
In Mumbai, Messi will participate in the Padel GOAT Cup at Brabourne Stadium, along with a celebrity football match featuring Bollywood actors. A charity fashion show, an auction of Argentina's 2022 World Cup memorabilia, and a Spanish musical evening led by Luis Suárez are also scheduled. Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar are expected to attend the padel event.
In Delhi, events will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on December 15.
Tickets for the Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour 2025 can be purchased online via the District ticketing platform.
The presence of Shah Rukh Khan and other prominent figures like former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly and Kolkata's chief minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to amplify the excitement surrounding Messi's visit. Messi's visit marks his first to India in 14 years.
