Kolkata Erupts in Passion as Football Great Lionel Messi Arrives for Historic India Tour

Football legend Lionel Messi has landed in Kolkata, India. His arrival marks a historic moment for millions of fans. The visit is part of his promotional GOAT India Tour. He will attend a major fan event in the city on December 13.

The city has prepared an extraordinary welcome. According to ANI, local fan clubs have recreated Messi’s Miami home. This tribute showcases the deep passion Kolkata holds for the Argentine icon.

Fan-Built Homage and Trophy Museum Honors a Career

The Argentina Football Fan Club Kolkata built the special display in Salt Lake. It features life-sized cutouts of Messi and his family. The structure includes terracotta roofs and statue-adorned terraces.

Inside, a museum celebrates Messi’s unparalleled career. Replicas of his major trophies are on display. These include his World Cup, Ballon d’Or awards, and Champions League titles. The ceiling is filled with 896 footballs. This number represents every goal of his professional career.

A massive LED wall will replay his greatest highlights. Organizers charge a nominal entry fee. They say it helps manage the expected crowds. The fan club founder told ANI they built it to show Messi what his fans can do.

Security Adjusts Plans for 70-Foot Statue Unveiling

Messi’s schedule was adjusted for security reasons. He arrived in the early hours of December 12. He will now unveil his largest-ever statue virtually from his hotel.

The 70-foot structure was originally meant for a public unveiling. Local police did not grant permission for the large gathering. The event at Sreebhumi was subsequently canceled. The statue will still be revealed via a video link.

The main “Hola Messi” event will proceed at the Salt Lake Aikatan Club. It features an Argentine-Indian fusion menu. Dishes include mate tea with Assam flavors and Bengali hilsa fish.

Kolkata’s Long History of Welcoming Argentine Football Royalty

Messi follows in the footsteps of his legendary compatriot, Diego Maradona. Maradona visited Kolkata twice, in 2008 and 2017. His first visit drew a midnight crowd of 15,000 fans to the airport.

Maradona famously called it the second-best reception of his life. He participated in events at Salt Lake Stadium and with Mohun Bagan club. His return in 2017 was for a charity match and a children’s football workshop.

This history explains the city’s fervent excitement. Fans see Messi’s visit as a continuation of a special bond. Club officials told ANI they have celebrated Messi as their idol since 2002.

The city of joy is now witnessing football history. The Lionel Messi visit to Kolkata celebrates a global icon’s connection with one of world football’s most passionate fan bases. It is a moment the city will long remember.

Thought you’d like to know-

When is Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata?

The main “Hola Messi” fan event is scheduled for December 13. It will be held at the Salt Lake Aikatan Club in Kolkata.

What is inside the fan-built tribute house?

The tribute features a museum with replica trophies and 896 footballs for Messi’s goals. It also has a large LED wall showing his career highlights and life-sized cutouts of his family.

Why is Messi unveiling his statue virtually?

Local police raised security concerns about a large public gathering. Therefore, the 70-foot statue unveiling was moved to a virtual link from Messi’s hotel for safety reasons.

Has any other Argentine legend visited Kolkata?

Yes, the late Diego Maradona visited Kolkata twice before. His visits in 2008 and 2017 also drew enormous, passionate crowds from the city.

What is the entry fee for the fan tribute house?

Organizers are charging a 10 Rupee entry fee. They stated this small fee is primarily to help manage crowd numbers and track visitor counts.