Two Superstars in One City: Shah Rukh Khan Meets Lionel Messi in Kolkata
SRK meets Messi in Kolkata as Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and global football icon Lionel Messi come together during the GOAT Tour India 2025, creating a historic moment for fans at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Messi Unveils World’s Largest Statue in Kolkata
Lionel Messi marked his return to India after 14 years by unveiling a towering 70-foot iron statue of himself at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata. The statue depicts the Argentine legend holding the FIFA World Cup trophy and is being described as the world’s largest statue of Messi. It took nearly 40 days to complete.
The unveiling took place in the presence of West Bengal minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club president Sujit Bose. Although Messi participated virtually from the Salt Lake Stadium area, the event attracted massive public attention.
Statue Receives Messi’s Approval
Speaking to a news agency, Sujit Bose said Messi and his team were happy with the statue and had approved its installation. Earlier, Messi had visited India in 2011, when he played an international friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Meanwhile, Messi arrived in Kolkata from Miami earlier in the day and received a grand welcome. Fans gathered near the airport and along major city routes to catch a glimpse of the World Cup-winning captain.
Shah Rukh Khan Joins Messi at Salt Lake Stadium
One of the major highlights of the day was the presence of Shah Rukh Khan at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium. The Bollywood superstar joined Messi ahead of the formal proceedings, marking a rare meeting between two global icons.
Shah Rukh Khan arrived in Kolkata late Friday night with his younger son AbRam. Videos on social media showed the actor waving to fans at the airport. He wore a black T-shirt, white trousers, a jacket, and a beanie cap.
Messi’s Meetings and India Tour Schedule
During his stay in Kolkata, Messi is also scheduled to meet former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Later in the evening, he is expected to leave for Hyderabad.
Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan had confirmed his attendance at the event through a social media post. He wrote that he hoped the day at Salt Lake Stadium would be completely “Messi.”
Messi’s India tour will continue with visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi between December 13 and 15. The three-day tour has generated massive excitement, celebrating the legacy of one of football’s greatest players.
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