Lionel Messi's Glitzy India Tour: All Spectacle, No Play

Lionel Messi's return to India promises glamour but little football, with promotional events lined up across major Indian cities. The tour includes a fashion event in Mumbai and meetings with key figures. While fans are eager, some former Indian footballers express disappointment over the event's commercial focus.

Argentinian football star Lionel Messi's upcoming visit to India is generating buzz, mainly for its glitz and glamour rather than any competitive football action. Scheduled between Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, the tour will feature a series of promotional events instead of the high-stakes matches that fans may have hoped for.

The highly anticipated 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025' will kick off with a 45-minute appearance in Kolkata, followed by a philanthropic fashion event in Mumbai. Messi will be joined by fellow footballers Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, adding to the star power of the tour. A notable segment of the Mumbai event includes an auction of memorabilia from Messi's 2022 World Cup campaign.

Despite the fanfare, some former Indian footballers have critiqued the tour's commercial focus, arguing that efforts would be better spent on nurturing the growing football talent in India. Their sentiments resonate as Indian football faces uncertainty, with the Indian Super League struggling to secure a commercial partner amid the ongoing season.

(With inputs from agencies.)