Messi in Kolkata, but Sunil and Baichung Missing

Kolkatta, Dec 13, 2025: The wait is finally over as Lionel Messi has arrived in Kolkata. A huge crowd of fans gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium to catch a glimpse of their footballing idol. However, Indian football legends Sunil Chhetri and Baichung Bhutia will not meet Messi during his visit.

This is Messi’s second visit to Kolkata. He first came to the city in 2011 to play a friendly match for Argentina. This time, he arrives as a FIFA World Cup winner. Although Messi will not be playing on the field on Saturday, Kolkata is still gripped by Messi fever.

Reports suggest that both Chhetri and Bhutia are currently outside Kolkata, which is why they will not be meeting Lionel Messi during his visit.

So, will Lionel Messi not meet India’s two biggest football stars during his visit to the country? That will not be the case. The Argentine captain is set to travel to Delhi and Mumbai after his stay in Kolkata, where meetings with Sunil Chhetri and Baichung Bhutia have been planned.

Shatadru Dutta, the organiser of the ‘GOAT Tour’, confirmed that Sunil Chhetri will meet Messi at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Baichung Bhutia is also expected to meet the football legend in New Delhi.

Messi’s Kolkata Arrival and Statue Inauguration

Messi arrived in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday. He later virtually inaugurated his 70-foot statue from a five-star hotel near the EM Bypass. Former Argentina forward Luis Suárez was also present during the ceremony.

After unveiling the statue alongside Fire Minister Sujit Bose, the Argentine superstar interacted with fans. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan flew in from Mumbai with his son, AbRam. A devoted admirer of Messi, AbRam was delighted to meet his idol.