KOLKATA: A newlywed couple in Kolkata postponed their honeymoon to catch a glimpse of football superstar Lionel Messi, whose arrival in the city on Saturday triggered scenes of jubilation.
“We recently got married, but on Messi's visit, we cancelled our honeymoon plan because first we wanted to see Messi,” a fan told news agency ANI.
“We have been following him for 10–12 years and are very excited to see him.”
Thousands of fans braved the December chill, lining up outside Salt Lake Stadium for the first leg of Messi’s three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
Messi’s flight touched down at 2:26am, with supporters filling Gate 4, waving Argentina flags, beating drums and chanting his name.
An ecstatic fan shared their admiration for the footballer, saying, “I have loved Messi since 2007… ‘Mohabbat hai’… In 2026, we will get the World Cup again. Argentina will be the champion.”
The Argentine star was escorted through a VIP exit under tight security, marking the start of a frenzy expected to continue across the next three cities on his tour.
The GOAT India Tour 2025 will take Messi to three more cities over the next three days, with each stop expected to draw massive crowds and celebrations.
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