Kolkata Messi Tour: Shah Rukh Khan confirms appearance at Salt Lake Stadium on 13 December on Lionel Messi’s India tour

Kolkata is witnessing an extraordinary surge of excitement as Lionel Messi prepares to return to India after more than a decade, with the city gearing up for an unprecedented celebration of global football and Bollywood star power. The frenzy began months ago when sportstrepreneur Satadru Dutta, promoter of the GOAT India Tour, announced Messi’s multi-city visit covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

Fuel was added to the fire on Thursday afternoon when Shah Rukh Khan confirmed that he will join the celebrations in Kolkata. Taking to social media, the Bollywood superstar wrote: “This time round not planning my Knight in Kolkata… and hoping the day Ride is completely ‘Messi’. See you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium.”
His post instantly triggered a wave of excitement across fans of both Messi and the Bollywood icon.

This time round not planning my Knight in Kolkata…. and hoping the day Ride is completely ‘Messi’.
See you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 11, 2025

With just days left for the event, ticket counters around the city have been packed, as supporters rush to secure seats for Messi’s grand appearance. Prior to Khan’s confirmation, Satadru had hinted that a “national icon with a Kolkata connect” might join Messi at the tour’s opening event. SRK’s announcement across X and Facebook has now intensified the city’s anticipation to fever pitch.

Fans online have been ecstatic, calling the upcoming appearance a once-in-a-lifetime crossover. One user wrote, “Can’t wait for the biggest crossover, legend Khan,” while another said, “On the 13th… two legends walk into one stadium. The King of Bollywood. The GOAT of Football. SRK × Messi — Kolkata witnesses what history looks like.”

Adding to the star-studded tour, Messi will be accompanied by former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and an Argentina midfielder as the group travels across the four metros on 13 and 14 December. In Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate Messi at Eden Gardens on December 13, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome him during the Delhi leg of the tour.

With Messi returning to India and Shah Rukh Khan joining the spectacle, Kolkata is preparing for a landmark moment in sports and entertainment, one that has already sent the city — and the country — into a state of festive anticipation.