Lionel Messi’s journey and his GOAT Tour of India This Sunday he had a new stop. This time, the city of Bombay It was the venue for a day marked by games with young soccer players, complicity with their friends and teammates from Inter Miami Rodrigo DePaul y Luis Suarezand a long-awaited meeting with the local icon Sachin Tendulkar in the stadium We are ourselves. The event passed without incident, unlike the previous stage in Calcutta, and consolidated the impact of the Argentine star’s tour in a country where he is adored by fans.
During his stay in Bombay, Messi participated in recreational activities with the midfielder of the Argentine national team and the historic scorer of the Uruguay teamwhich included games with boys and girls on the playing field. The trio encouraged the young local talents, with De Paul showing enthusiasm and closeness, while Suárez was the first to hit a shot into the high boxes of the stadium, a challenge that Messi matched shortly after.
The little footballers, selected to participate in these movements called “crazy”they lived a unique experience by sharing the field with the two world champions and the Uruguayan attacker in a relaxed and festive atmosphere, according to the local newspaper. The Tribune.
One of the highlights of the day in the capital of the Indian state of Maharastra It was the cross between Messi and Sachin Tendulkar, considered the “God of cricket” in the nation that has this discipline as a national sport. The meeting took place at the emblematic Wankhede stadium, where the legend of the game showed the Rosario star the statue erected in his honor and gave him a shirt from the Indian cricket team, also with the number 10.
“Having the three (Messi, De Paul and Suárez) is a golden moment for Bombay and India is beautiful. As for Leo, what could I say about him? He has achieved everything. We admire his dedication and commitment. He is very loved for his humility and for being who he is,” said Tendulkar in dialogue with the YEARSan agency that follows news from Southeast Asia.
For his part, Messi reciprocated the gesture with a “Trionda” ball, the same one that will be used in the next World Cup to be played next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada, in what was an exchange full of symbolism between two figures from two disciplines with millions of fans.
In addition, the visit of Argentina’s number 10 to Bombay included a protocol aspect with participation in the launch of the Mahadeva Projecta state initiative promoted by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. The project seeks to identify and train young footballers under the age of thirteen in the region, with the aim of strengthening India’s presence in international football. Messi was invited to activate the start of the program, which selected the same children who participated in the recreational activities with the players.
During the event, Messi also met with Sunil Chhetriformer footballer and all-time top scorer for the Indian team, who received a national team shirt from the Argentine. Chhetri’s presence was especially relevant, since it had initially been reported that he would not participate in the tour due to disagreements with the use of state funds for the event, although he finally agreed to join the celebration in Bombay.
The atmosphere in the stadium We are ourselves was enriched by the presence of prominent figures from Bollywoodlike Ajay Devgn y Tiger Shroffwho also participated in the Mahadeva Project and shared moments with Messi and his teammates. The stands, filled with T-shirts from the Argentine team and the FC Barcelonareflected the local passion for football, although cricket remains the predominant sport in India.
In the “Super Sunday with Messi” event, as the Indian media called it, DJ Chetas, recognized in India, and renowned figures such as actors Nikhil Poojari and Bala Devi also participated. They, along with other personalities, were part of a friendly between the Indian Stars and Mitra Stars teams.
The contrast with the previous stage in Calcutta It was noticeable. In that city, Messi’s tour was marred by incidents in the stadium Salt Lakewhere the crowd staged riots that included throwing objects and breaking into security areas. The situation led to the arrest of the main organizer, Satadru Dattaand in an official investigation promoted by the head of government of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjeewho expressed his dismay at the mismanagement and apologized publicly. Local authorities attributed the events to failures in the organization and promised measures to prevent similar situations from being repeated.
The tour of Messi across India covers three days and includes stops in Hyderabad, Bombay y New Delhiwith an agenda that combines sports activities, tributes and charitable actions. Among the notable events are the virtual inauguration of a twenty-one-meter-high statue in honor of the soccer player, the exhibition of murals and replicas, and meetings with authorities and young promises of local soccer. The visit of Messi, who had already played in the country in 2011, has generated comparisons with that of Diego Maradona and has rekindled the enthusiasm of a fan that, although a minority compared to cricket, maintains a strong connection with international football.
The day in Bombay concluded with a photograph with the Bollywood stars present and the integration of Tiger Shroff into the Mahadeva Project. Messi, De Paul and Suárez prepare to close the tour in New Delhi.
