Football met cinema as Lionel Messi met Shah Rukh Khan during the opening leg of his GOAT India Tour in Kolkata on Saturday.

The interaction marked the start of Messi’s four-city visit across India, combining fan engagements, football activities, and cultural appearances.

Lionel Messi met Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, with the Bollywood superstar also bringing his son AbRam for the interaction. The meeting quickly became a highlight of Messi’s India visit, symbolising a crossover between global football and Indian cinema.

Messi landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at 2:26 am, where a large crowd of fans gathered to welcome him. His day began with a closed-door meet-and-greet at a city hotel before heading to Salt Lake Stadium.

The Iconic Moment Is Here: King Shah Rukh Khan x G.O.A.T Lionel Messi 😍🔥@iamsrk @pooja_dadlani

History Made 🔥 #Messi #ShahRukhKhan #GOAT2025 #SRK #TeamShahRukhKhan #MessiInIndia pic.twitter.com/v5fq1Ki2B5
— Team Shah Rukh Khan Fan Club (@teamsrkfc) December 13, 2025

The stadium holds special significance for Messi, as it hosted his only previous appearance in India during Argentina’s 2011 friendly match. The visit formed a nostalgic moment for fans who remembered that historic outing.

Later in the day, Messi is expected to virtually unveil a 70-foot statue at Lake Town. A felicitation ceremony is also planned, with the expected presence of teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.

Hyderabad leg focuses on football

From Kolkata, Messi travels to Hyderabad, where the tour shifts toward football-centric activities. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, he is scheduled to take part in a 7v7 exhibition match featuring local players and international teammates.

The Hyderabad visit also includes a football clinic for young players, highlighting the developmental focus of Messi’s India tour.

Mumbai: Fans, charity and entertainment

Mumbai is the third stop, with Messi visiting the Cricket Club of India for a padel session before heading to Wankhede Stadium for a large fan event. The evening will feature a charity fashion show and an auction of memorabilia from Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Several well-known personalities from sports and entertainment are expected, including Sachin Tendulkar, John Abraham, and Kareena Kapoor. Speculation around possible interactions with Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has further fuelled excitement.

The tour concludes on Monday, December 15, in New Delhi with an event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Messi will attend a felicitation ceremony for young footballers from the Minerva Academy.

A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled, where discussions are expected to focus on sports development and international collaboration.