Watch: Lionel Messi greets fans at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium ahead of a friendly match

Kolkata, the heartbeat of Indian football, erupted in joy as global icon Lionel Messi made a triumphant arrival at Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentine superstar, fresh off leading his nation to World Cup glory, stepped onto Indian soil for a historic visit, greeting thousands of ecstatic fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi, Suraz, and De Paul arrived late at night

Videos circulating on social media under hashtags #MessiInIndia captured the 38-year-old Inter Miami star stepping out amid rapturous applause at the 85,000-capacity venue, a historic home to clubs Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Diamond Harbour FC.

Messi, along with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, arrived in Kolkata late at night. They had a meet-and-greet program in the morning and met Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan. After that, Messi digitally unveiled a 70-foot sculpture of himself, which is said to be the largest Messi sculpture in the world.

Organizers confirmed the event will feature a high-profile exhibition game followed by a ceremony honoring Messi, though details on participating teams and exact timings remain undisclosed. The visit marks Messi's first to India since his 2022 World Cup triumph with Argentina.

Local authorities deployed enhanced security measures around the stadium, located in Kolkata's Bidhannagar area. Fan turnout was massive, with supporters chanting Messi's name and holding up banners despite the afternoon heat.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, joined Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF in 2023 after a storied career at Barcelona and PSG. His arrival coincides with rising interest in football across India, despite no news of the Indian Super League and India not qualifying for upcoming international tournaments like the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Event promoters described the occasion as a "milestone for Indian football," aiming to bridge global stars with local enthusiasts. No official confirmation has been issued on whether Messi will play, but anticipation builds for potential on-pitch action.

Kolkata, often called the "Mecca of Indian football," has hosted major events but rarely such caliber international figures. Traffic disruptions were reported near the stadium as crowds swelled.