19.08.2025 23:44
From Durga Puja Festivities to Football: How Legends Lured Messi to India
In a highly anticipated event for Indian football enthusiasts, Lionel Messi is set to visit four cities in India this winter. Revered globally, Messi’s presence in India is a dream come true for many fans.
The question arose: how did Messi agree to such a demanding four-city tour in his career’s later stages, especially 14 years after his previous visit? According to Kolkata-based sports promoter Satadru Dutta, the key was ensuring favorable reviews of India reached Messi.
Messi’s teammates, Emiliano Martinez, instrumental in Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory, and Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, visited India last year for similar events organized by Dutta. Dutta emphasized to them the importance of giving Messi positive feedback.
“The football community is tight-knit. When I hosted Emi Martinez and Ronaldinho in Kolkata, I mentioned that I was working to bring Messi to India and their feedback would be crucial,” Dutta told the Indian Express.
“Their positive feedback to Messi’s team and Messi himself was invaluable,” he added.
How Nostalgia and a Durga Puja Statue Convinced Messi
Fortunately for Dutta, Messi eventually agreed, albeit not immediately, thanks to the influence of his former teammates. A conversation with Messi in 2024 ended with the decision being pushed to the future due to scheduling issues that year.
“I asked if it could happen within the next year or two, and he said ‘I love the idea,'” Dutta continued. To finalize the deal, Dutta shared videos of Messi’s 2011 visit to India, which was also when he first captained Argentina, and a photo of a Messi statue on a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata.
The planned tour will kick off in Kolkata before moving to Ahmedabad, New Delhi, and Mumbai. Organizing a multi-city tour poses challenges but is crucial for financial viability, noted Dutta: “Without multiple cities, it wouldn’t be economically practical.”
During his visit, the Argentinian icon is expected to attend various events, meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and play seven-a-side matches alongside legendary Indian athletes and Bollywood celebrities. Reports also suggest he might try cricket with some renowned Indian players.