Mumbai: Football legend Lionel Messi thrilled young fans at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, engaging in an interactive football session with budding players. The Argentine superstar was joined by fellow footballer Rodrigo de Paul as they kicked the ball around with children selected for the event.

Messi arrived at the iconic Wankhede Stadium and shared a warm hug with Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, further elevating the excitement among fans. The visit is part of Messi’s four-city ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’, which began in Kolkata and has already drawn massive crowds across the country.

The young participants at Wankhede are part of Project Mahadev, a statewide talent initiative across Maharashtra. Thirty boys and thirty girls were chosen based on FIFA scouting guidelines to take part in the special session.

Messi’s playful interaction with the children included skillful ball kicks and light-hearted drills, providing an unforgettable experience for the budding footballers.

At one point, Messi playfully kicked the ball into the crowd, delighting spectators and creating memorable photo opportunities.

 

His presence, combined with appearances from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, made the event a star-studded celebration of sports and youth talent.

The Wankhede visit follows Messi’s earlier appearances in Kolkata and Hyderabad, with Mumbai marking another high-energy stop in his India tour. Fans lined the stadium to catch a glimpse of the football icon, who continues to inspire young players across the country.