The start of Lionel Messi’s GOAT tour of India event in New Delhi has been delayed, with the event that was scheduled to begin at 1.30 PM now scheduled to commence from 4 PM onwards. The Argentine legend landed in India on December 12 following which he visited Kolkata and Hyderabad on December 13 and Mumbai on December 14. His visit to Delhi marks the final leg of the tour and Messi’s visit to India for the first time in 14 years. Follow live updates from Day 3 of Messi’s GOAT tour to India here.
Start of Messi’s event in New Delhi delayed
The exhibition match featuring celebrities was initially scheduled to begin at the Arun Jaitley stadium from 1.30 PM onwards, with the gate opening for the fans by 11.30 AM. However, as per Khel Now, the event has been delayed, with the GOAT set to arrive at the venue by 4 PM while gates will be open for the fans only by 1.30 PM.
Event timeline (before delay)
- 2:30 PM – Welcome music
- 2:50 PM – Celebrity football match begins
- 3:30 PM – Messi arrives and joins the proceedings
- 3:45 PM – Football clinic with 30 selected kids
- 4:20 PM – Stage ceremony and felicitation
Meeting with PM Modi cancelled
Messi was also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the national capital. As per Sportstar, the Argentine national was supposed to meet the leader for 21 minutes and was prepared for the same. However, it was cancelled on the day before the meeting. This could perhaps be because PM Modi is leaving for four-day visit to Oman, Ethiopia and Jordan on the same day.
Instead, the reports states that Messi will now meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CDS General Anil Chauhan, CJI Surya Kant, Indian cricket team star Virat Kohli among others.
At the Arun Jaitley stadium, Messi will be joined by fellow Inter Miami stars Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul for a fan-focused event that includes a celebrity football match, a football clinic, and a felicitation ceremony.
