Narendra Modi
Lionel Messi to begin four-city India tour from Kolkata, expected to Meet PM Modi in New Delhi
Kolkata: World Cup-winning Argentina skipper Lionel Messi had left Kolkata feverish in 2011 when he played an exhibition match against Venezuela, and now, fourteen years after that grand tour, he is scheduled to visit the eastern Indian city with the promise to charm his football crazy fans here.
According to media reports, Messi will also visit Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad during his four-city tour to India when he is also expected to meet Indian PM Narendra Modi.
“It’s been finalised, and we are waiting for an official announcement from Messi, maybe on his social media handle anytime soon," a source told News18.
“As of now, we have agreed on the proposed itinerary and are just awaiting an official announcement from his social media, which could be anytime soon," the source said.
Messi is likely to begin his India-tour with Kolkata on December 12.
A 70-foot statue of Messi might be unveiled in Kolkata during his visit.
He is expected to visit Eden Gardens to attend the GOAT Concert and Cup.
The event will be fully ticketed with expectations remaining high that it might drive a significant ticket sale.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and cricket icon Sourav Ganguly are expected to attend the event in Eden Gardens.
“He will play the GOAT Cup in a seven-side soft-ball, soft-touch game with Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, Bhaichung Bhutia, among others. It will be a celebration play in respect of Messi," the source told News18.
“This will be at Eden Gardens. It will be a ticketed event. Denominations are yet to be decided. It would be a little expensive — should not be less than Rs 3,500," the source said.
He is likely to visit Ahmedabad on December 13 to attend a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation at their Shantigram headquarters.
His Mumbai-led of the India-tour will begin on December 14.
“We’ve booked the Wankhede Stadium for the GOAT Cup at 5.45 pm on December 14," source told News18.
Messi is slated to visit New Delhi on Decmber 15 and meet Modi in the national capital.
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