Lionel Messi to Face Off With Dhoni & Rohit? Wankhede Prepares For Mega Cricket Showdown

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 13:44 IST

Lionel Messi could join MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and more for a unique seven-a-side cricket match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, this December.

News18

Football legend Lionel Messi could be seen playing cricket at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium this December. According to The Indian Express, Messi is expected to play a seven-a-side cricket match on December 14 as part of his much-anticipated visit to India.

This event is still being finalised by a leading event agency in coordination with the Mumbai Cricket Association, and if it comes to fruition, we could be looking at Lionel Messi taking on MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli in a rare cross-sport encounter. The precise match details and schedule are expected to be released once the organisers secure all logistical arrangements.

Messi’s trip, spanning December 13 to 15, will include visits to Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, marking his first visit to the country in 14 years since he last graced Indian soil in 2011. Back then, a youthful Messi led Argentina in a friendly football match against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.

The news arrives amid ongoing discussions about the Argentina national football team’s potential friendly matches in India, particularly in Kerala. Kerala’s Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman, recently confirmed talks with the Argentina Football Association for hosting games in late 2025, although those plans remain fluid.

The recent Argentine FA scheduling hints at some uncertainty, even as local officials insist negotiations are ongoing, and the agreement remains possible if financial and logistical criteria are met.

This landmark tour comes while Messi, 38, continues his illustrious club career at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. This journey has seen him capture eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and an unrivalled 45 team trophies. His staggering records include the most goals for a single club (672), most goals in La Liga (474), and most World Cup goal contributions (21). Messi’s captaincy culminated in Argentina’s third World Cup triumph in 2022, ending a 36-year wait for his nation.

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First Published:

August 01, 2025, 13:44 IST

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