Football legend Lionel Messi could soon be seen on a cricket field alongside India’s biggest cricketing stars, with reports suggesting he will participate in a special exhibition match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium this December.
Currently plying his trade with Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi—worldwide renowned for his 17-year stay with FC Barcelona—is set to share the turf with cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. The one-of-a-kind seven-a-side match is scheduled for December 14 and is set to be a milestone event in Indian sporting history.
The Argentine sensation is expected to be on a promotion tour of India in mid-December. As per The Indian Express, a well-known event management company has made an offer to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) requesting them to book Wankhede Stadium for the big match.
"Messi will be present at Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He is also expected to play a cricket match, with former and current cricketers. Once everything is fixed, the organisers will plan a full schedule," a source from MCA told the publication.
Messi, who won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022 after fulfilling his childhood dream, is likely to be in the country on December 13-15. The tour of his will supposedly span several cities, including New Delhi and Kolkata.
This will mark Messi’s return to Indian soil after more than a decade. His last visit dates back to 2011, when he led Argentina in an international friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Argentina had clinched a 1-0 win in that match, with Nicolás Otamendi scoring the decisive goal in the 70th minute.
Previous talks were in process for Argentina to host two games in India in October, with Messi in the team. However, as per Kerala State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, those plans are presently dropped.
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