'Put In A Good Word': Ronaldinho, Emi Martinez Indian Visits Driving Factor Behind Lionel Messi's Three-City Tour

Last Updated:August 16, 2025, 14:17 IST

The organiser of Messi's India tour, opened up on the impact Ronaldinho's and Emiliano Martínez's visits last year had on brining the eight time Ballon d'Or winner to Indian shoes.

Ronaldinho, Emi Martinez, Lionel Messi.

Argentine World Cup-winner Lionel Messi’s is set to make the trip to India for a three-city tour in December, event promoter Satadru Dutta confirmed on Friday.

This marks the Argentine legend’s first trip to India since 2011, when he visited with his national team to play a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The organiser of the iconic tour, Dutta, opened up on the impact of Ronaldinho’s and Emiliano Martínez’s trips to India last year as the legendary Brazilian participated in a charity game in Chennai, while the Argentine shot stopper made the trip to Kolkata to take in the affection the City of Joy has for the sport.

Dutta revealed that he had requested the footballers to put in a good word to Messi, with plans of brining the magician from Roasrio to India conceived much earlier.

“The football world is a small circle," Dutta said.

“When I got Emi Martinez and Ronaldinho to Kolkata, I told them that I am trying to bring Messi to India and your review will matter," he explained.

“If you can give a good review to his team and even Messi himself, it will help. Touchwood, I executed it in a neat and clean way, they gave a very good review to Messi," he added.

Dutta also met with Messi’ father, Jorge, last year to discuss the possibility of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s travel to the peninsular nation.

“I just said if it would be possible over the next one or two years, he said ‘I love the idea’," Dutta said.

The football-mad city of Kolkata will be the first stop on Messi’s tour, titled ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’, followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

“If it is not multiple cities, it won’t be financially viable," Dutta said, revealing the rationale behind the three-city tour.

The visit is scheduled to culminate with a meeting between Messi and the Honourable Prime Minister of the nation, Narendra Modi , at his residence on December 15.

“We will seek an appointment from the Prime Minister," Dutta said.

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August 16, 2025, 14:17 IST

News sports 'Put In A Good Word': Ronaldinho, Emi Martinez Indian Visits Driving Factor Behind Lionel Messi's Three-City Tour

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