Football legend Lionel Messi arrived in Mumbai around noon on Sunday amid exceptionally tight security, marking the second day of his four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. The World Cup-winning Argentine captain is being provided security arrangements comparable to those used during global football tournaments, officials said.
read also: Messi’s Kolkata Visit Ends in Chaos as Fans Breach Security at Salt Lake Stadium
Following his arrival, Messi headed to the Taj Hotel in Colaba for a short rest before proceeding to the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium.
There, he is scheduled to attend a Padel GOAT Club event, which will be followed by a celebrity football match later in the afternoon.
Messi, who is accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, is expected to reach the iconic Wankhede Stadium around 5 pm for the main highlight of the Mumbai leg of the tour.
Fans have been gathering in large numbers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football icon.
In view of the anticipated crowd, Mumbai Police have enforced stringent security measures at both venues. Restrictions have been imposed on carrying water bottles, metal items and coins inside the stadiums, while watchtowers have been installed to closely monitor crowd movement.
More than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed in and around Brabourne and Wankhede stadiums to ensure smooth conduct of the events.
A senior police official said,
“The arrangements were strengthened after the disruption witnessed during the Kolkata leg of the tour.”
The official said,
“Considering the chaos that prevailed in Kolkata and the security breach reported there, we have put in place World Cup-level security arrangements in Mumbai.”
Messi had arrived in India in the early hours of Saturday, but his Kolkata appearance later that day was marred by overcrowding and poor crowd management. In contrast, the Hyderabad leg of the tour went off smoothly, offering a reassuring experience for fans and organisers alike.
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