Lionel Messi, in India for his GOAT India Tour and accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, visited Jamnagar’s Vantara wildlife and conservation centre, where he was welcomed with folk music, flowers, and a ceremonial aarti.
He took part in a Maha Aarti, offering prayers for world peace, and toured the centre’s conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, and other animals, while admiring its green energy initiatives.
The tour also saw Messi visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, participating in promotional events, unveiling a 70-foot statue in Kolkata, and meeting celebrities and politicians including Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Fans in Delhi and Mumbai enjoyed stadium interactions, photos, and games with Messi, while his India visit reflected both his humility and humanitarian values.
West Bengal sports minister resigns amid Messi visit chaos
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned following fan outrage over chaos during Messi’s visit to Yuvabharati Stadium. The Chief Secretary’s office also held DGP Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh accountable. In response, CM Mamata Banerjee ordered a probe.
A four-member SIT, led by IPS Peeyush Pandey, Barrackpore Commissioner Murlidhar Sharma, ADG Gyanwant Singh, and ADG Supratim Sarkar, was formed to probe the chaos during Messi’s Salt Lake Stadium appearance.
West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar CP Mukesh Kumar received 24-hour show-cause notices for mismanagement and poor coordination. Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha was also asked to explain lapses, while DCP Aneesh Sarkar and DC Anik Sarkar have been suspended pending inquiry.
Celebs and sportspeople attend Lionel Messi's GOAT India tour
Football superstar Lionel Messi kicked off his GOAT India Tour 2025 with a visit to Kolkata on December 13, followed by Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on December 14, joined by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. Thousands of fans gathered as Messi interacted with children, played on the pitch, and met several Bollywood celebrities, including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, and Tiger Shroff.
In Mumbai, Messi also met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and former football captain Sunil Chhetri, exchanging jerseys, and presented his Argentina jersey to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Earlier, he attended a Padel event at the Cricket Club of India.
During his Kolkata visit, Bengali actress Subhashree Ganguly shared photos of a meet-and-greet with Messi, which sparked backlash among fans frustrated over the event’s chaotic management and VIP access. Many accused her of insensitivity, prompting political criticism.
Her husband, TMC MLA Raj Chakraborty, defended her, calling the event’s mismanagement “completely uncalled for” and emphasising that Ganguly was simply attending as a fan representing the Bengali film fraternity. He highlighted that personal identities, mother, wife, actress, fan, should not be used to target someone unfairly and criticised political leaders and media for creating a negative narrative around her presence.
