GOAT Meets Indian Legend: Lionel Messi & Sunil Chhetri Embrace in Mumbai Wankhede Stadium

GOAT Meets Legend: Lionel Messi and Sunil Chhetri Share Historic Embrace in Mumbai

Mumbai: A moment that Indian football fans had long dreamed of came true on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when global icon Lionel Messi and Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri met on the field at the Wankhede Stadium during the Mumbai leg of the 'GOAT India Tour 2025.'

The highly anticipated meeting was the emotional centerpiece of the evening, perfectly capturing the shared reverence for the sport across continents.

The Historic Wankhede Moment Between Messi and Sunil Chettri

The legendary interaction took place on the pitch of the iconic Wankhede Stadium, which was buzzing with a capacity crowd of fans adorned in Argentina's blue and white.


Pictures of Lionel Messi With Sunil Chhetri


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Warm Welcome: As Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed onto the field, the cheers intensified when he approached India's highest-ever and the world's fourth highest goalscorer, Sunil Chhetri.

Top international goal scorers:
  1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 143 goals
  2. Lionel Messi – 115 goals
  3. Ali Daei – 108 goals
  4. Sunil Chhetri – 95 goals

A Shared Embrace: The two titans of football shared a warm hug and a brief, heartfelt interaction, a sight that instantly resonated with Indian fans who view Chhetri as the country's greatest-ever footballer. The moment symbolized mutual respect between two prolific goalscorers from different eras and leagues.

The Jersey Exchange: In a moving gesture, the Argentine superstar presented a signed Argentina jersey to Chhetri, a priceless memento that will be cherished by the Indian football community. Chhetri, who had arrived at the stadium wearing a special GOAT India Tour kit bearing Messi's iconic No. 10, was deeply acknowledged by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Sunil Chhetri Leads the Charge

Before Messi's entry, Chhetri was central to the on-field action. He led an exhibition seven-a-side match, even managing to get on the scoresheet, much to the delight of the home crowd. His presence and active participation underlined the significance of the event for Indian football development.

The encounter between Messi and Chhetri, alongside the meeting between the Argentine and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, made the Mumbai leg of the tour a landmark sporting occasion, celebrating the greatness of sportsmanship across generations and disciplines.



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