Kolkata: Messi meets Shah Rukh Khan as GOAT Tour blends football and Bollywood

WEB DESK: Lionel Messi’s return to India after 14 years took on a star-studded turn as the football icon met Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, creating one of the most talked-about moments of his ongoing “GOAT Tour”.

The meeting took place during the virtual unveiling of Messi’s 70-foot statue at the Shree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum. Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his son AbRam, and Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez were present at the ceremony, which brought together global icons from football and cinema. The towering iron statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy and was installed as a tribute to his legendary career.

Earlier in the day, Messi arrived at the Salt Lake Stadium, where thousands of fans had gathered to welcome him. The atmosphere, however, became difficult to manage after some spectators threw plastic water bottles onto the field, prompting security officials to cut short his appearance and escort him out for safety reasons. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlighted crowd-control challenges at high-profile events. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later expressed regret over the situation and acknowledged shortcomings in event management.

Despite the disruption, the mood shifted during the statue unveiling, where Messi was seen warmly interacting with Shah Rukh Khan. Images and videos of the two icons together quickly went viral, with fans celebrating the rare crossover between football and Bollywood.

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Speaking through the organisers, Messi thanked the people of Kolkata for their continued support, saying he felt honoured by the affection shown towards him and the Argentine national team.

While parts of Messi’s visit were marred by logistical issues, his meeting with Shah Rukh Khan and the unveiling of the statue became the defining moments of the Kolkata leg of his India tour, leaving fans with a lasting image of sport and cinema coming together on one stage.