Lionel Messi to Visit India in December 2025 for Possible Cricket Match

Strategic Insights -

Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer superstar, is set to visit India in December 2025, with plans to potentially play a cricket match against some of India's biggest superstars, including Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, and possibly Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni. Messi will visit the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14, where he may swap his football boots for a bat and ball. This visit will be his second to India, with his first being in 2011 when Argentina played a friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lionel Messi is scheduled to visit India from December 13-15, 2025, with a possible cricket match against Indian superstars at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14.
  • Messi will visit Delhi and Kolkata in addition to Mumbai, marking his second visit to India.
  • The Inter Miami star had visited India in 2011 for a friendly match between Argentina and Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.
  • Messi is one of the most popular football stars in India and has expressed interest in playing cricket, with the finalization of logistics already underway for the possible match.
  • Messi is expected to play in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup in the USA next year and has a storied career with over 850 goals and more than 375 assists for his club and country.
  • The organizers are working out logistics to make the cricket match a reality, with the complete schedule to be made public once confirmed.

Statistics:

  • Messi is expected to visit India from December 13-15, 2025.
  • The possible cricket match will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 14.
  • Messi has over 850 goals to his name and more than 375 assists for his club and country.
  • Messi has won eight Ballon d'Ors and has been named as the world's best player by FIFA on eight occasions.
  • Messi's next visit to India will be his second, following his initial visit in 2011 for a friendly match between Argentina and Venezuela.

Sources:

  • The Hindustan Times, "Lionel Messi set to visit Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in December"