Sunil Chhetri pens heartfelt message after meeting Lionel Messi in GOAT India Tour 2025

Sunil Chhetri was present at Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour at Wankhede.

The two legends of football, Lionel Messi and Sunil Chhetri, crossed paths on December 14, 2025, during Messi’s GOAT India Tour at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The Argentine legend was joined by his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, for his India tour. The event in Mumbai was preceded by a chaotic morning in Kolkata, followed by a rather organised evening in Hyderabad.

“The build-up to Saturday was filled with little fights, and in a rare win, Sunil Chhetri the fan beat Sunil Chhetri the pro, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

I’ve been nursing an injury that’s restricted me to a hobble, and needless to say, I don’t like being around even myself when I’m spending more time on the physio’s table than on the pitch. I almost didn’t make the trip to Mumbai, till the fan in me rebelled and went anyway.

Turned out, meeting the man who makes me very happy and whose art is my antidote for all the times I am sad was exactly what I needed. To be able to express my gratitude to Lionel Messi in person for everything that he has done for our sport felt like both a dream and a duty.

It was lovely to meet another World Cup winner in Rodrigo De Paul, and then there was the childlike excitement to share the frame with arguably the most complete No. 9 of our generation – Luis Suarez.

And Mumbai, you absolute beauty, thank you for making me feel so loved. I do not take it for granted. At the end of it, I guess, both the Chhetri’s turned up on Saturday and the joy was twice as much. 🤍” – Sunil Chhetri wrote on Instagram

A Joyous Night in Mumbai!

Chhetri participated in a 7-a-side football match where the skipper scored a goal. Later, Messi entered the pitch and began his event by kicking some balls towards the fans before redirecting his focus to the former Indian National Football team captain, Sunil Chhetri, where the duo had a brief chat.

The two legends had a firm handshake followed by a warm hug. This gesture highlighted the mutual respect between the World Cup winner and the Indian National Football team’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Following this, the Argentine captain presented a signed Argentina National Football Team jersey to Sunil Chhetri, which drew large cheers among the crowd. After the event, Sunil Chhetri posted a heartfelt note on Instagram where he shared his experience of meeting the Inter Miami trio.

The skipper also added about his injury, which almost made him cancel his trip to Mumbai and how the fan inside him rebelled to attend the event. He also expressed his gratitude to all the fans for the love they showered towards him.

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