Kolkata witnessed a historic moment as star footballer Lionel Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town.
The unveiling marked the first leg of his much-anticipated G.O.A.T. Tour India 2025.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain greeted fans with a warm “Muchas Gracias” before continuing his remarks in Spanish. The event, hosted by Minister Sujit Bose at the Hyatt Regency, drew immense excitement among football and Bollywood enthusiasts alike.
Shortly after the unveiling, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met Messi. The football icon greeted Khan with a broad smile and signed an autograph for Khan’s son, Abram. The two exchanged words, while Khan also interacted with Luis Suarez and Rodrygo de Paul, who attended the marquee event.
Adding to the grandeur, RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, met Messi during the celebrations. Goenka, one of the event’s key sponsors, gifted Messi a Sa Re Ga Ma caravan featuring timeless songs by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Md Rafique, Kishore Kumar, and Asha Bhosle.
The statue, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolises his triumph in Qatar 2022 and his global legacy. The event showcased the fusion of football, Bollywood, and business, making it one of Kolkata’s most memorable evenings.
