Lionel Messi’s much-awaited GOAT India Tour ended on a high note in Delhi on Monday. The final event took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered to see the global football icon. After a disorganised and controversial start in Kolkata, the Delhi leg restored order and delivered the experience fans had hoped for.

The stadium was packed with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the football legend. Inside the ground, a limited group of Indian celebrities and senior officials watched the programme. For many in the stands, the evening was about seeing a player who has shaped modern football and inspired generations over the last two decades.

Messi Thanks Fans in Spanish

Messi addressed the crowd briefly in Spanish, a language not widely understood by most in attendance. Still, his words sparked loud cheers across the stadium when he said, "Gracias Delhi! Hasta pronto".

He later expressed his gratitude in a longer message, saying, "Thank you for all the affection you have shown us here in India over these days. Truly, it was a unique experience for us to be able to share this. Although it was intense and very short, it was wonderful to receive all this love, which I already knew was there, but experiencing it firsthand was incredible."

He continued, "Everything you did for us over these days was astonishing, pure madness. So thank you all for the love, and we will surely return someday — perhaps to play a match or on some other occasion — but we will definitely visit again. Thank you very much, thank you."

Fans Finally Get Their Moment

After entering the stadium, Messi walked around the field with a smile. He watched the end of a 7x7 celebrity football match while fans chanted his name. Many spectators wore Argentina’s blue-and-white jersey with the No. 10 on the back.

Messi waved to the crowd, giving fans a moment they had missed in Kolkata. At the Salt Lake Stadium, heavy security and the presence of politicians and officials had prevented him from interacting freely with supporters.

Ball Kicks, Cheers and Celebrations

Later, Messi took a lap around the stadium with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The trio kicked footballs into the stands, sending fans into a frenzy. The event drew an estimated crowd of around 25,000 people.

Messi also honoured the Minerva Academy football team during the programme. The event appeared carefully structured around him, allowing each segment to move smoothly without disruption.

Dignitaries Attend the Event

Several prominent figures joined Messi towards the end of the 30-minute programme. Those present included Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

Delayed Arrival Earlier in the Day

Earlier on Monday, Messi arrived in Delhi for the final stop of his India tour. His chartered flight from Mumbai was delayed due to foggy weather conditions.

He was expected to land around 10:45 am but eventually arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport at approximately 2:30 pm. From there, he travelled to The Leela Palace Hotel, where he met a select group of people during a private meet-and-greet.