For years, India’s soccer fans have dreamed of seeing the world’s two biggest icons—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—step onto their soil. In 2025, that dream is about to become reality. While Messi’s much-anticipated “GOAT Tour” has already generated a frenzy, there is now confirmation that Ronaldo, too, will make his way to India, sparking one of the most exciting years in Indian soccer history.
It has been 14 years since Lionel Messi last played in India, when he captained Argentina in a friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium in 2011. Now, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is set for his grand return with the “GOAT Tour of India 2025.” Event promoter Satadru Dutta confirmed the details to PTI, stating, “I got the authorization and afterwards made it official [on social media]. Messi will post any day between August 28 and September 1 with the official poster with all details and a small introduction of his tour.”
Messi’s itinerary includes Kolkata (December 12), Ahmedabad (December 13), Mumbai (December 14), and New Delhi (December 15). Kolkata will be his longest stop, featuring a special meet-and-greet at the Taj Bengal hotel, a Food and Tea Festival, the unveiling of his largest-ever statue, and even a 25×20-foot mural painted by fans during Durga Puja.
Rumors suggest he could be accompanied by Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, making the tour one of the most star-studded soccer spectacles India has ever witnessed.
India to welcome another GOAT
As if Messi’s visit wasn’t historic enough, Indian soccer is set to experience another seismic moment—Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s participation in the AFC Champions League Two.
The Portuguese legend’s club has been drawn in Group D alongside FC Goa, Al Zawraa (Iraq), and FC Istiklol (Tajikistan). For FC Goa, this is nothing short of a landmark. “Hosting Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is without a doubt the biggest match in the history of Indian soccer,” said club CEO Ravi Puskur to The Associated Press.
The excitement comes with questions, however, about whether the Portuguese will actually travel to India due to contractual clauses limiting some away trips. Still, his presence in the group stage guarantees fans the chance to watch him face FC Goa, at least in Riyadh.
Puskur emphasized the significance of the occasion: “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa. We are here on merit, and a match like this gives us the chance to show that we can compete on the continental stage.”
Fixtures that could change indian soccer
And here it is—the answer to the question that had fans buzzing: FC Goa will host Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on October 22, before traveling to Riyadh for the away leg on November 5.
For Goa, a club founded just over a decade ago in 2014, this represents the pinnacle of their journey. They secured their place in the group stage by beating Omani champions Al Seeb 2-1 in the playoff round on August 13.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, now 40, is still chasing continental glory with Al-Nassr. The Saudi club has bolstered its squad with Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Inigo Martínez, making them formidable opponents.