Lionel Messi to visit Mumbai in December, says CM Fadnavis

Football legend Lionel Messi is set to visit Mumbai in December as part of his muchanticipated GOAT Tour Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Sunday via a post on social media platform XMessi will be visiting the city on December 14 he saidIn a cheerful message addressed to the youth CM Fadnavis said ldquoMessi is coming to Maharashtra and will play football with you my young friendsrdquoAs part of the event under14 football players from across Maharashtra will be selected by the statersquos Sports Department MITRA and the Western India Football Association WIFA These young talents will get a onceinalifetime opportunity to train with Messi during his oneday visitThe Chief Minister also thanked Messi for sending him a personally signed football as a gesture ahead of the visitCM Fadnavis has invited football fans and corporates to support the initiative calling it a step towards bringing worldclass sports training to the youth of MaharashtraGuess what Lionel Messi is coming to Maharashtra andhellipwill play football with you my young friends Thank you Messi for gifting me your personally signed football I welcome your forthcoming visit to Mumbai on 14th December 2025 as a part GOAT TourUnder14 younghellip pictwittercomYkuicNk4dTmdash Devendra Fadnavis Dev_Fadnavis September 21 2025Earlier the Argentine Football Association AFA had officially confirmed that Lionel Messi and the FIFA World Cupwinning Argentina national team will visit Kerala from November 10 to 18 for a friendly match during the FIFA International WindowThe news was confirmed by Anto Augustine Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd the Kerala governmentrsquos official partner for the event ldquoThe Argentine Football Association has officially confirmed Messi and the teams visit to Kerala from November 10 to 18 I request the people of Kerala and Messi fans across the country to enjoy and celebrate the eventrdquo Augustine saidKerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had later echoed the excitement stating on his official Facebook page ldquoMessi will come Official confirmation received through official mail that the Qatar World Cup winning Argentina team including Lionel Messi will arrive in Kerala for a friendly match in the November 2025 FIFA International WindowrdquoThis will be Messirsquos second visit to India the first being in September 2011 when he led Argentina to a 10 victory against Venezuela at Kolkatarsquos Salt Lake StadiumChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier revealed the statersquos efforts to bring the world champions to Kerala In a social media post last year he lauded the statersquos deeprooted love for football and expressed hope that the legendary forward would be part of the squad