Messi's Indian Odyssey: A Journey of Persistence and Passion
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Lionel Messi is finally heading to India, and fans are ecstatic. The Argentine football legend will embark on a four-city tour next month, bringing a massive boost to Indian football and inspiring young talent. This is Messi's first visit to India since 2011, when he captained Argentina in a friendly match against Venezuela in Kolkata. The journey to bring Messi to India was long and arduous, spearheaded by Satadru Dutta, a sports promoter and global event organiser. Dutta's company, A Satadru Dutta Initiative, has a track record of bringing football icons to Indian shores, including Pele, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldinho. After watching Messi lift the 2022 World Cup, Dutta was inspired to bring the legend to India and began working on the project in earnest. Dutta's first move was to invite Emiliano Martinez, whose heroics in Qatar were unforgettable. He then reached out to Ronaldinho, hoping his involvement would help lay the groundwork for Messi's visit. The next step was paying tribute during Durga Puja, which eventually created an opening to approach Messi's family. This connection paved the way for a conversation with Jorge Messi, his father, who ultimately agreed to consider the project. Months of persistence and groundwork finally opened the door to bring Lionel Messi to India. After nearly eight months of planning and preparation, Dutta met Messi in person and shared his vision. The meeting became the turning point that set everything in motion. Dutta revealed how he had almost brought Cristiano Ronaldo to India in 2020, but after Messi's World Cup triumph, he shifted focus and set his sights on bringing the Argentine legend first. Despite being a Ronaldo fan, Dutta has immense admiration for Messi, calling him 'football incarnate.' Messi's tour will be a celebration of his legacy, with a format that remains the same across all four cities - Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Dutta confirmed that Messi's teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez will accompany him throughout the tour. Tickets for the tour are priced as high as ₹82,600, and social media was abuzz with claims that top-tier pass holders would get a chance to meet Messi. However, Dutta dismissed the speculation, making it clear that no such access will be possible. The tour will be a private celebration of Messi's legacy, and fans will get to see him share his knowledge with kids during masterclasses and mentorship sessions.
