Commuters cross promotional posters and veiled statue of Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, on the eve of his visit, in Kolkata on December 12, 2025. Photo: AFP

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi received a thunderous welcome on his arrival in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday, marking the start of his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025, according to Indian media reports.

Despite the winter chill, thousands of supporters gathered outside the international terminal well past midnight, with chants, flags, and mobile phone lights creating a carnival-like atmosphere. Messi's flight touched down around 2:26 am local time, according to Indian media reports, triggering scenes of excitement as fans rushed between airport gates hoping for even a brief sight of the 2022 World Cup winner.

Lionel Messi arrives in Kolkata in the wee hours of Saturday. Photo: X

Security arrangements were extensive, with the former Barcelona star escorted out through a VIP exit amid a heavy police presence. Children were lifted onto shoulders, drums were beaten, and chants echoed as Messi was driven away in a convoy bound for his hotel, where another large crowd remained awake to welcome him.

The Argentine great was accompanied by long-time teammate Luis Suarez and fellow national team midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

Streets around the airport and hotel were barricaded, and law enforcement agencies remained on high alert as the city witnessed what the Indian media described as an eruption of "Messi mania".

Over the next 72 hours, Messi is scheduled to unveil a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata, an iron sculpture which shows Messi holding the World Cup aloft, before travelling to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

His itinerary also includes a short friendly match in Kolkata, attending a concert in Hyderabad and another friendly, along with meetings with political leaders, corporate figures and celebrities from the Indian film industry, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. He will conclude the tour with a scheduled interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.