Lionel Messi meets Jay Shah, Bhaichung Bhutia in Delhi; receives special gift from ICC chairman

New Delhi: Lionel Messi’s GOAT tour of India concluded after a star-studded evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, December 15. Messi arrived at the venue alongside his Inter Miami teammates, Rodrygo De Paul and Luis Suarez, to a roaring reception from the packed crowd, who were waiting in anticipation to get a glimpse of the football icon.

Messi kicked a few balls into the stands for the fans before playing football with a host of kids, who got an opportunity of a lifetime by sharing the pitch with one of the greatest players of all time. The Argentine legend spent a considerable amount of time soaking in the atmosphere and acknowledging the love and cheers from his supporters before meeting the dignitaries present at the venue.

Leo practicing rondo with the kids ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/SH3EkDxWNm

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) December 15, 2025

Messi met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with ICC chairman Jay Shah and Rohan Jaitley, the president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), during the event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the national capital. ICC chairman Shah presented the global football icon with a special bat, autographed by some of the legends of Indian cricket.

ICC CHAIRMAN JAY SHAH HANDED SPECIAL JERSEY & BAT TO MESSI ❤️

– Nice Gesture by Jay Shah. pic.twitter.com/P3lyzjWtz7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 15, 2025

Jay Shah gifts customised Indian jersey to Lionel Messi

Shah also gifted Messi an Indian cricket team Jersey with his name and iconic no.10 printed on the back. The Argentine maestro also received a special ticket for the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and the USA, which is set to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 07 February next year. The ICC chairman also presented customised Indian jerseys to Suarez and De Paul.

ICC CHAIRMAN JAY SHAH HANDED INDIA vs USA T20I WC MATCH TICKETS TO MESSI 🐐 pic.twitter.com/DVgyeYi5g8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 15, 2025

Lionel Rescience Rescience Funtball legenal Leadon Bist

After sharing some special moments with Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri in Mumbai on Sunday, Messi met another legendary Indian footballer, Bhaichung Bhutia, during his GOAT tour event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday. Former Indian football team captain Bhutia met Messi alongwith his daughters and posed for photographs with the Argentine icon.

Leo Messi & Bhaichung Bhutia at Delhi pic.twitter.com/qLKPRGjp4c

— CricPal (@AnupPalAgt) December 15, 2025

Messi to leave for Miami as GOAT tour concludes

Messi will leave for Miami from the Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi after the conclusion of his three-day GOAT tour of India on Monday. Messi arrived in India on Saturday, where his tour of the country kicked off on a chaotic note in Kolkata. The Argentine superstar then headed to Hyderabad, where he met Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and played football with him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Messi also played with young kids at the venue and met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The Argentine maestro headed to Mumbai for the third leg of his tour on Sunday, where he met with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Indian football great Sunil Chhetri in a high-profile event at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Messi’s tour of India concluded with the final leg in Delhi on Monday, where he met ICC president Jay Shah and Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia before leaving the venue.