CM Fadnavis has invited football fans and corporate sponsors to support the initiative, calling it a step towards bringing world-class sports training to the youth of Maharashtra
CM Devendra Fadnavis thanked Messi for sending him a personally signed football as a gesture ahead of the visit. Pic/X
Football legend Lionel Messi is set to visit Mumbai in December as part of his much-anticipated GOAT Tour, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Sunday via a post on social media platform X.
Messi will be visiting the city on December 14, he said.
In a cheerful message addressed to the youth, CM Fadnavis said, “Messi is coming to Maharashtra and will play football with you, my young friends!”
As part of the event, under-14 football players from across Maharashtra will be selected by the state’s Sports Department, MITRA, and the Western India Football Association (WIFA). These young talents will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with Messi during his one-day visit.
The Chief Minister also thanked Messi for sending him a personally signed football as a gesture ahead of the visit.
CM Fadnavis has invited football fans and corporates to support the initiative, calling it a step towards bringing world-class sports training to the youth of Maharashtra.
Guess what!
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 21, 2025
Lionel Messi is coming to Maharashtra and….
will 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 Tour!
Under-14 young… pic.twitter.com/YkuicNk4dT
Earlier, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had officially confirmed that Lionel Messi and the FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina national team will visit Kerala from November 10 to 18 for a friendly match during the FIFA International Window.
The news was confirmed by Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt. Ltd., the Kerala government’s official partner for the event. “The Argentine Football Association has officially confirmed Messi and the team's 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 event,” Augustine said.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman had later echoed the excitement, stating on his official Facebook page, “Messi 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 Window.”
This will be Messi’s second visit to India, the first being in September 2011, when he led Argentina to a 1-0 victory against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier revealed the state’s efforts to bring the world champions to Kerala. In a social media post last year, he lauded the state’s deep-rooted love for football and expressed hope that the legendary forward would be part of the squad.
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