KOLKATA, Dec 13 — Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met Argentine football legend Lionel Messi on Saturday in Kolkata, as his son AbRam posed for photos with Messi and his teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrygo de Paul, officials said.
The encounter came during Messi’s visit to the city as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025. Shahrukh Khan was visibly delighted at meeting the football stars, who were welcomed by a large gathering of fans across the city.
Messi also took part virtually in unveiling a 70-foot statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, depicting the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner holding the prestigious trophy. Fans packed the stadium to witness the historic moment.
“Messi and his team are happy with the statue installed in Lake Town,” West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club president Sujit Bose said. “They had given their consent and were satisfied with the tribute. The construction was completed in just 40 days.”
The visit marks Messi’s first trip to India since 2011, when he played a friendly match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium, which Argentina won 1-0.
