After wrapping up his much-talked-about GOAT India Tour, football superstar Lionel Messi is reliving his experiences from the country, and one Bollywood name has found a special place in his memories.
While the Argentine legend met several Indian film stars during his visit, it was Kareena Kapoor and her children, Taimur and Jeh, who stood out in a montage video he recently shared, much to the actor’s delight.
Following the end of his multi-city tour, Messi posted a farewell montage on Instagram, offering fans a glimpse into some of the most memorable moments from his time in India.
The video showcased a range of highlights: Messi interacting with children at stadiums, absorbing the charged atmosphere of packed venues, attending meet-and-greet events, and spending time with Indian sports icon Sachin Tendulkar.
Among all his Bollywood encounters, from Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn to Tiger Shroff, Messi chose to feature just one frame with Kareena Kapoor, alongside her sons.
Accompanying the montage, Messi penned a heartfelt goodbye message to Indian fans, writing, “Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India.”
Kareena, clearly thrilled to see herself and her children included, reacted by resharing the video on her Instagram Stories. Giving a special nod to her elder son, she wrote, “Ok Tim then this happened for you.”
Messi’s India tour began with a grand arrival in Kolkata, where thousands of fans gathered at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to catch a glimpse of the football legend.
The three-day GOAT India Tour 2025 spanned four cities, starting in Kolkata, moving to Mumbai on the second day, and concluding in New Delhi on Monday.
The tour wrapped up with Messi addressing fans at Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he spoke in Spanish about his experience in the country.
“Well, I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. In fact, it was a truly beautiful experience for us to be able to share it,” he said.
He added, “And although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but receiving it directly was amazing.
"It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us these days.
"So, we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India. Thank you very much,” he concluded.
This marked Messi’s second trip to India. His previous visit dates back to 2011, when he travelled to Kolkata for a friendly match against Venezuela.