Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15 (HBTV): Cricket and football fans at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium witnessed a rare crossover of sporting legends as Argentina football icon Lionel Messi visited the venue as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025 and met Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar.
The Wankhede Stadium, synonymous with historic moments in Indian cricket such as India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph and Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 50th ODI century, turned into a multi-sport and cultural spectacle as football, cricket, music, Bollywood and politics converged at the venue.
The event began with the anchor energising the crowd as chants of ‘Messi, Messi, Messi’ echoed across the stadium. DJ Chetas opened the festivities with a curated musical set featuring Bollywood and international tracks, including Sapphire by Ed Sheeran, Wavin’ Flag by K’Naan, the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Teri Mitti by B Praak. Cultural dance performances by students followed.
A friendly football match was then played between Indian Stars and Mitra Stars. The Indian Stars featured actors Tiger Shroff and Jim Sarbh, along with footballers Nikhil Poojari and Bala Devi. The Mitra Stars included Sunil Chhetri and his Bengaluru FC teammates Rahul Bheke and Chinglensana Singh Konsham.
The stadium erupted as Messi entered the field alongside his Inter Miami FC teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, drawing a deafening response from the crowd. After the match, both teams lined up to meet Messi, leading to a widely celebrated moment when Messi and Chhetri embraced on the pitch.
Messi and his teammates also spent time with young girls footballers from the state’s grassroots initiative Project Mahadeva, passing the ball and interacting with them on the field. The players later kicked footballs into the crowd, each gesture drawing louder cheers.
Messi presented a signed Argentina jersey to Chhetri and was felicitated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also presented a special memento to the football icon. Project Mahadeva was formally unveiled by the Chief Minister alongside Messi, with Fadnavis thanking the footballer for inspiring young players and expressing hope that they would one day feature in a FIFA World Cup. Actor Tiger Shroff, associated with the initiative, also met Messi during the event.
One of the most anticipated moments followed when Sachin Tendulkar joined Messi on stage and presented him with a Team India cricket jersey, as the leaders and players posed together for photographs.
Speaking on the occasion, Tendulkar reflected on his experiences at the venue and the significance of the event, saying, ‘I have spent some incredible moments here. Mumbai is a city of dreams, and many dreams have found their finishing line at this venue. Having Messi, Suarez and De Paul here is a golden moment for Mumbai and India. When it comes to Leo, what can anyone say? He has achieved everything and is admired for his dedication, commitment and humility. On behalf of all of us, I wish his family the very best in health and hope Indian football reaches the heights we aspire to.’
The event concluded with the crowd chanting the names of Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi. Delhi will be the final stop of Messi’s GOAT India Tour on Monday.
(ANI)