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Published: December 14, 2025 8:48 PM IST 
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India is soaking in football madness once again as global icon Lionel Messi makes a grand return after 14 long years. The Argentine legend, who last visited the country in 2011, is back for the GOAT India Tour 2025, and the excitement around his visit shows no signs of slowing down. From packed stadiums to celebrity meet-and-greets, Messi’s presence has turned into a full-blown celebration.
Messi kicked off his three-day India tour on December 13 in Kolkata, revisiting the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, the same venue where he had played during his first India visit. Accompanied by fellow football stars Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, the World Cup-winning captain has since travelled to Hyderabad and Mumbai, drawing massive crowds and endless social media buzz.
Kareena Kapoor’s special Messi moment
One of the most talked-about highlights from the tour came from Mumbai, where Kareena Kapoor Khan met Lionel Messi along with her sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan. The pictures from the meeting quickly went viral, capturing a rare crossover between Bollywood royalty and football greatness.
Kareena Kapoor’s lil ones Taimur & Jeh having their perfect fanboy moment with Messi in Mumbai today #MessiInMumbai #Messi #leomessi #Mumbai #KareenaKapoorKhan pic.twitter.com/BrBr9DlN7w
— Prem ⚡ (@TamannaahB21527) December 14, 2025
jeh is overjoyed to see messi in front of him and karena having to hold his hand to leave ️ i love this child pic.twitter.com/xI8jysFOkA
— letícia (@itsmeletii) December 14, 2025
Dressed in a sharp khaki co-ord set, Kareena radiated effortless elegance, while her sons proudly flaunted their football love in jerseys. Taimur, a known Messi admirer, wore a customised jersey featuring the footballer’s name, while little Jeh sported an ‘Argentina’ jersey. The trio posed happily with Messi, with De Paul and Suarez also joining the frame.
How did Kareena and her boys react?
Ahead of the meeting, Kareena shared glimpses of the excitement on her Instagram Stories, giving fans a sneak peek into how thrilled her sons were to meet their sporting hero. Soon after, videos and photos from the interaction flooded social media, winning hearts instantly.
Not just Kareena, who else met Messi?
A day earlier in Kolkata, Shah Rukh Khan also met Messi at Salt Lake Stadium, accompanied by his youngest son AbRam. The father-son duo posed with the football legend, and AbRam even received a special autograph, making the moment unforgettable for the young fan.
What’s next on Messi’s India tour?
After Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, Lionel Messi is set to conclude his GOAT India Tour 2025 in Delhi on December 15.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena Kapoor Khan was last seen in Crew and Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again, and is now gearing up for Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, co-starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.
As Messi’s India visit continues, one thing is clear: the GOAT’s magic remains truly universal.
