New Delhi: Kolkata is witnessing an extraordinary surge of excitement as the GOAT India Tour prepares to open in the city on 13 December, marking Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated arrival. The football icon will launch the tour from Kolkata before travelling to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, and the build-up has already transformed the city into a hub of celebration and devotion.
The Salt Lake Stadium counters saw long queues forming from early morning as thousands rushed to secure entry. Tickets, priced from around Rs 4,000 to nearly Rs 25,000 for premium categories, have been selling at an exceptional pace. Fans across generations gathered outside the venue, many posing with their tickets and sharing their excitement online. The enthusiasm ranged from students and working professionals to elderly supporters who have followed Messi’s career for years.
The emotional connection was evident. A delivery worker described the moment as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream after saving up to purchase a ticket. Groups of students from Jadavpur University celebrated their successful bookings, calling the opportunity to see Messi a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Merchandise stalls around the stadium have also seen brisk business, with Messi jerseys, wristbands and memorabilia drawing eager buyers. Vendors noted that the demand reflects the city’s unique football culture and its deep admiration for global legends.
Organiser Satadru Dutta confirmed that ticket sales for the Kolkata event have surpassed previous records, calling the response historic. Messi will remotely inaugurate a 70-foot statue created in his honour and later appear at the stadium for a programme that includes a musical ceremony, a celebrity football match between Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour FC, and a special clinic where he will demonstrate his famed Tiki-Taka skills to young players. The event is expected to be attended by prominent figures including Shah Rukh Khan, Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Messi’s India tour, secured after nearly two years of negotiations, represents a milestone for Indian sports. With Kolkata at the centre of this moment, the city is preparing to host one of the most memorable sporting celebrations the country has ever seen.
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