In a starstudded event, global football sensation Lionel Messi and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan came together in Kolkata on Saturday as part of the GOAT Tour India 2025. The two icons shared the spotlight, blending sports and entertainment in a memorable encounter.
The highlight of the event was Messi's virtual unveiling of a record-breaking 70-foot iron statue of himself at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. The statue, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was completed in just 40 days and has been touted as the world's largest statue of the Argentine footballer. West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose, who oversaw the project, revealed that Messi and his team were "happy" with the statue and had approved its installation.
Messi's return to India after 14 years generated massive excitement, with fans thronging the airport and streets to catch a glimpse of the World Cup-winning captain. His previous visit was in 2011, when Argentina played a friendly against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentine legend arrived in Kolkata from Miami, greeted by a sea of blue and white jerseys and Argentina flags, before heading to the Salt Lake Stadium for a packed schedule of events.
Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his son AbRam, joined Messi at the stadium, adding Bollywood glamour to the football frenzy. The actor, known for his deep connection with Kolkata through the IPL's Kolkata Knight Riders, expressed his excitement on social media, saying, "Hoping the day Ride is completely 'Messi'." Messi's Kolkata agenda also includes meetings with cricket legend Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.