Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, returned to the country from London on Saturday along with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma. The couple was spotted at Mumbai’s Kalina airport, where their pictures and videos quickly spread across social media platforms.
Their arrival immediately triggered speculation among fans, many of whom believe the visit could be linked to football legend Lionel Messi’s ongoing three-day “GOAT Tour” in India. Kohli, who has been residing in London, flew there after the conclusion of India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this month. With Messi scheduled to visit multiple Indian cities, fans are excited by the possibility of a meeting between two global sporting icons.
Watch The Video Here :
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma snapped at the airport😍 pic.twitter.com/nXwzB5iGrR
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) December 13, 2025
Messi’s India Tour And Packed Schedule
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, landed in Kolkata early on Saturday, marking the beginning of his highly anticipated India tour. Later that evening, the Argentine superstar was set to travel to Hyderabad, followed by visits to Mumbai and New Delhi over the next few days. His presence in India has generated massive attention, drawing fans from across the country who were eager to catch a glimpse of the football icon. However, while expectations were sky-high, the execution of events during his Kolkata stop failed to match the excitement surrounding his arrival.
Kolkata Event Chaos Highlights Deeper Issues
Messi’s much-anticipated appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata lasted barely 22 minutes, but it exposed significant flaws in event management and crowd control. What was promoted as a historic celebration quickly descended into chaos as thousands of fans grew frustrated after being denied even a clear view of their hero. Anger spilt over at the venue, with poor planning, inadequate policing, and a focus on VIP access rather than fan safety contributing to the disorder. The irony of the situation was hard to ignore, as Messi’s visit coincided with Indian football’s struggles, highlighted by the national team’s drop to 142nd in the FIFA rankings, its lowest position since 2016.
The scene at the stadium painted a grim picture. Around 50,000 spectators, many of whom had paid hefty sums ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000, and even up to Rs 20,000 through black market channels, were left disappointed. As politicians, VIPs, and entourages crowded around Messi for photo opportunities, ordinary fans watched helplessly. What should have been a memorable day for Kolkata instead became a stark reminder of deeper governance and organisational challenges facing Indian football.
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