Kolkata was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as football legend Lionel Messi arrived for his GOAT India Tour 2025, coinciding with the unveiling of his 70-foot statue. Adding a touch of Bollywood glamour to the event, Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his son AbRam, met Messi, creating a viral sensation on social media.

Thousands of fans gathered to welcome Messi upon his arrival from Miami. The Argentine icon is scheduled to visit Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi from December 13–15 as part of a pan-India celebration. In Kolkata, Messi is expected to meet with Sourav Ganguly, former India cricket captain, and Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town unveiled a 70-foot iron statue of Messi holding the World Cup trophy. Sujit Bose, West Bengal minister and club president, confirmed that Messi and his team approved the statue, which was completed in a record 40 days. The statue is being celebrated as the world's tallest Messi statue, and the football legend virtually unveiled it during the event.

Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam were spotted at Kolkata airport. Khan sported a casual look with a grey hoodie, muted trousers, and a black cap, while AbRam wore a black tracksuit. A video showed Khan greeting Messi with a handshake and a smile. Messi also signed an autograph and posed for photographs with AbRam. Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's Inter Miami teammates, were also present and exchanged greetings with Shah Rukh Khan.

The meeting between Shah Rukh Khan and Lionel Messi has become a sensation on social media, with fans sharing photos and videos of the two icons. The event was attended by West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and other personalities.

Messi's visit to Kolkata marks his return to India after 14 years, having played a friendly match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium in 2011. The city's enthusiasm underscores its deep-seated love for football and Messi's widespread popularity among Indian fans.