The highly anticipated “G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025” featuring Argentine football legend Lionel Messi reached its star-studded climax in Mumbai, becoming a grand spectacle that saw the convergence of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ajay Devgn, with the global sports icon.
The event, which took place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, was a major highlight of Messi’s multi-city visit to India, which also saw him stop in Kolkata and Hyderabad before his final leg in Delhi.
The presence of these prominent film personalities underscored the universal appeal of Messi, transcending the boundaries of sports and entertainment in a memorable cross-cultural exchange.
For the Bollywood fraternity, the opportunity to meet the FIFA World Cup winner was clearly a moment of immense excitement, especially for the younger generation of fans.
Kareena Kapoor Khan made a distinctive appearance, attending the meet-and-greet event not just as an actor but as a proud mother introducing her children to a living legend.
She was accompanied by her sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan, who were dressed in matching white Argentina jerseys bearing the famous number ’10’ on the back. Taimur’s jersey was personalised with the name ‘Messi,’ while Jehangir’s bore ‘Argentina,’ a clear display of the family’s enthusiasm for the football great.
The pictures shared from their encounter, which also included Messi’s teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, captured Kareena beaming with joy, highlighting the personal significance of the interaction.
Simultaneously, the main event at the Wankhede Stadium drew in other Bollywood heavyweights. Ajay Devgn was spotted on the field, where he greeted Messi alongside actor Tiger Shroff.
The two actors exchanged handshakes and a brief conversation with the Argentine star, making for striking visuals in front of the massive crowd gathered at the historic cricket ground.
Ajay Devgn was also accompanied by his son, Yug Devgn, and nephew, Aaman Devgan, who watched the interactions from the stands, visibly thrilled to witness the meeting between the film stars and the legendary footballer.
Devgn’s presence was particularly noted as he has connections to the sport through his film Maidaan, which is based on the life of football coach Syed Abdul Rahim.
The entire event was not just a fan moment but a high-profile affair that attracted dignitaries and other sporting icons, further cementing its status as a national-level spectacle. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also met Messi, in what was hailed as a monumental ‘Number 10’ moment, with Tendulkar gifting Messi an autographed Indian cricket jersey and receiving a football in return.
Indian football great Sunil Chhetri was also in attendance and received a signed Argentina jersey from the ‘GOAT.’
Despite the fanfare and celebrity presence, the true focus remained on Messi, who also took the time to interact with a group of under-14 footballers from Maharashtra, providing an inspiring moment for young talent as part of the tour’s objective to promote the sport in India.
The Mumbai event, in its grandeur and star power, successfully united the worlds of Bollywood, Cricket, and global Football, leaving fans and celebrities alike with unforgettable memories of the football icon’s visit.
About the Author
