Wankhede Stadium witnessed a rare sporting spectacle yesterday as football legend Lionel Messi was welcomed by thousands of fans in Mumbai, India, turning the iconic cricket venue into a sea of Argentina’s white and sky blue.
According to Hindustan Times, on the second day of his GOAT India Tour, Messi arrived with Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, drawing a crowd of over 20,000.
Fans filled the stands wearing jerseys from across Messi’s career.
The atmosphere peaked when Messi and his teammates took a lap of the ground, waving to supporters and kicking footballs into the crowd.
An exhibition match earlier saw Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri score before making way for the main event.
A highlight of the evening came when cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar joined Messi on the field, presenting him with a signed replica of his 2011 World Cup jersey.
Messi returned the gesture by gifting Tendulkar a football and Chhetri an Argentina jersey.
The night marked a memorable meeting of cricket and football greats at one of India’s most storied sporting venues.
Source: Hindustan Times
