Messi set to visit Wankhede along with delhi and kolkata
On December 14, Messi will make a special appearance at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for a ticketed event, which has already received official approval from the Mumbai Cricket Association. The renowned event organizer Wizcraft is behind this occasion, and the event is anticipated to feature notable Indian cricketers as well. This visit is set to add a new chapter to the legendary moments witnessed at the Wankhede, which include the 2011 Cricket World Cup final. Messi is expected to visit India from December 13-15. The Inter Miami star will also travel to Delhi and Kolkata. This would be Messi’s second visit to India. He had earlier visited the country in 2011 when Argentina played a friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. “Yes, Lionel Messi will be visiting the Wankhede Stadium on December 14. The finalisation of logistics is well and truly underway. There are plans for organising a cricket match with some of the biggest names in India. The complete schedule will be made public once there is confirmation on the logistics and schedule,” a top MCA official told HT, and if all goes according to plan, he might ditch his football boots for a bat and ball. Yes, you read that right. The organisers are working out logistics to possibly get Messi to play a cricket match against some of the biggest Indian superstars, such as Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar. As for whether Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni will make an appearance, your guess is as good as ours. Considering Rohit and Tendulkar live in Mumbai, the duo might make an appearance at the Wankhede for a meeting with Messi if their schedule allows. Sources within the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed to The Hindustan Times that Messi would indeed visit the iconic venue on December 14. Before Mumbai, Messi’s itinerary includes Kolkata on December 13. At Eden Gardens, he is scheduled to be felicitated in a ceremony attended by West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. During his stay in Kolkata, Messi will conduct a football workshop for children, inaugurate a football clinic, and launch a seven-a-side tournament named the “GOAT Cup” in his honor. On December 15, his tour concludes in Delhi, where he is expected to meet the Indian Prime Minister and visit a major sports venue, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or Feroz Shah Kotla Ground. Both Delhi and Mumbai will also see additional grassroots youth football activities. Earlier, Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had revealed that Messi would be visiting the state with the rest of the Argentina football team for a friendly game in October. This was confirmed after the state government reached an agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to host two games in Kerala. That seems unlikely at this stage that this plan will go ahead. Messi is one of the most popular football stars in India. The 38-year-old is currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). He was part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022 after his side defeated France in a thrilling final. “During his stay in Kolkata, Messi will conduct a football workshop for children and launch a football clinic. A seven-a-side tournament called the “GOAT CUP” will also be organised in his honour at the Eden Gardens.” the report added. Messi last visited India in 2011 when Argentina took on Venezuela. The tie between Argentina and Venezuela ended in a goalless draw
Now a camera for Messi exclusively on the pitch named ‘Messi-Cam’! on 2nd August
Lionel Messi has become the face of both Inter Miami and Major League Soccer, igniting widespread fan enthusiasm and accelerating the sport’s growth across North America. In another strategic broadcast initiative, MLS has announced the return of a special feature: an exclusive camera focused solely on Messi during an upcoming Leagues Cup match. Reintroduced from its 2024 debut, TikTok, Major League Soccer (MLS), and the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV are bringing back “Player Spotlight: Messi“—a live-stream experience that gives fans a Messi-only view of the match, available exclusively on TikTok LIVE. The first edition drew over six million live viewers, setting a record for a live sports stream on TikTok in the United States. “After the overwhelming success of Player Spotlight: Messi, which delivered our biggest-ever live U.S. sports audience on TikTok, we knew we had to bring it back. This is about giving fans a front-row seat to greatness, in real time, only on TikTok,” said Rollo Goldstaub, Global Head of Sports Partnerships at TikTok. “We’re bringing fans even closer to one of the greatest players of all time — in a way that’s dynamic, immersive, and made for the next generation of fans,” said Seth Bacon, MLS Executive Vice President of Media. “We’re proud to keep innovating with partners like Apple and TikTok to creat unforgettable moments.” The Messi spotlight first debuted in October 2024 during Inter Miami’s playoff opener against Atlanta United, drawing over 6.4 million views across MLS and club TikTok pages — becoming the most-watched sporting event in Apple history, according to the league. The ‘Messi Cam’ was first introduced in October 2024 during Inter Miami’s playoff match against Atlanta United, quickly becoming a hit with more than 6.4 million views across TikTok platforms for MLS and Inter Miami. It also set a new benchmark, becoming the most-watched sporting event in Apple TV history. Named “Player Spotlight: Messi”, the initiative will feature four Messi-centric broadcasts throughout the 2025 season. These livestreams, available exclusively on TikTok and optimized for mobile viewing, will be enhanced with custom graphics and overlays for a unique fan experience. On August 2, fans can tune in to see Messi in action once again during Inter Miami’s match against Mexican club Necaxa, a team co-owned by Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Mesut Ozil, and Eva Longoria. The dates for the other three Messi broadcasts will be revealed later. This announcement comes as MLS continues to see a rise in viewership. Commissioner Don Garber shared that the average viewership per Apple Season Pass stream has increased by nearly 50 per cent in 2025, now reaching 120,000 unique viewers per match.
