Football legend Lionel Messi is set to grace Indian soil very soon, but this time the scene will be quite different. While the world has seen Messi dazzle with his football skills, in India, he will be seen wielding a cricket bat instead.
MS Dhoni vs Lionel Messi: Two global icons – one from football and one from cricket – will face off this time, not on the sports field, but in a special and historic cricket match! Yes, Argentine football great Lionel Messi is coming to India soon and during this visit, he might play a cricket match against a team led by former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni).
Not only Dhoni, but other Indian legends – Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma – are also expected to take the field in this match. This event will be part of a promotional tour, but the excitement and glamour associated with it could make it the most expensive and talked-about cricket match ever.
When and Where Will This Match Be Played?
This historic match is likely to be held on December 14, 2025. The match will be organized at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, a historic landmark of Indian cricket. Lionel Messi's India tour is scheduled from December 13 to 15, and this seven-a-side exhibition cricket match will be played during this period.
Who Will Be on the Field?
- MS Dhoni – Former captain of Team India and one of the most successful captains in the world of cricket
- Sachin Tendulkar – Considered the God of Cricket, his presence makes any event historic
- Virat Kohli – Counted among the greatest batsmen of the modern era
- Rohit Sharma – Current Indian captain, explosive batsman in limited overs cricket
- Lionel Messi – Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, one of the most popular athletes in the world
Some other Bollywood celebrities and international stars from the football and cricket world are also expected to be involved in this match.
Lionel Messi is Visiting India for the Second Time
Messi had previously visited India in 2011, when he played an international football match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Even then, enthusiasm for football in India was at its peak. This time, Messi's India tour will not be limited to football, but he will also mark his presence on the cricket field. It is being said that Messi may also visit Delhi and Kolkata, and this tour is being seen entirely as a promotional and cultural event.
A senior official of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) told the Indian Express that Lionel Messi will be present at the Wankhede Stadium on December 14. He may play an exhibition match with Indian cricket players. Official confirmation regarding this event will be made after all the procedures are completed. The MCA is working with corporate sponsors, global sports brands, and media partners to bring this event to a global level.
