Will Lionel Messi watch East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Kolkata Derby on December 13? What we know so far

Messi India tour Kolkata: The City of Joy is set to welcome football royalty. Lionel Messi, Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain and global icon, will kick off his three-day India tour in Kolkata on 13 December. Messi's itinerary includes stops in Ahmedabad, Mumbai (both on 14 December), and Delhi (15 December) before he flies back.

But it's Kolkata, often called the Mecca of Indian football, that is stealing the spotlight. Kolkata has a rich history in the sport. Three of the oldest clubs - Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting Club - originate from this Gateway of Eastern India.

In a tribute to the city's football legacy, Messi is expected to attend a special Kolkata Derby match between Mohunbagan Messi All Stars and East Bengal Messi All Stars, announced by Satadru Dutta. The match, which will feature top Indian and international players in a competitive 11-a-side format, is likely to be held at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

“Messi ke bolechilam kolkata Derby kotha .. tai amar Chotto tribute to Kolkata Derby…13th December (I had told Messi about Kolkata Derby. This is a small tribute from my side)," Dutta posted on Facebook.

“Mohunbagan Messi all Stars vs East Bengal Messi All Stars .. dui dolei thakbe anek deshi bidhesi football stars … 11 side serious match … Je jitbe se pabe Messir hath theke Prize (It will be a 11-a-side match between Mohunbagan Messi all Stars vs East Bengal Messi All Stars with lots of Indian and foreign players representing both sides. Messi will hand over the trophy to the winners),” the post further added.

Messi Kolkata ticket

Tickets for the Kolkata leg of Messi's tour are already available on the District by Zomato app, priced between ₹4,366 and ₹11,800.

The Salt Lake Stadium will host the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup, featuring Indian sporting legends such as Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Leander Paes during a noon session, followed by evening fan interactions. However, official confirmation is awaited on whether the Mohunbagan Messi All Stars vs East Bengal Messi All Stars match will have the likes of Ganguly, Paes and Bhutia.

Lionel Messi's Argentina face Australia in Kerala

Before the December tour, the Messi-led Argentina team will arrive in Kochi on 14 November for an international friendly between Argentina and Australia on 17 November at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, reported The New Indian Express.

Tickets for the clash will be available from 15 October. Subject to official confirmation, the organisers are also planning a road show in Kozhikode and fan meet events in Kochi. 

This means that Messi will arrive in India twice in consecutive months.

The last time Messi visited India was in 2010, when Argentina played Venezuela at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in an international friendly. In the same match, Messi made his captaincy debut for the national team. Argentina won the game 1-0.