Jay Shah Gifts Lionel Messi Indian No. 10 Jersey
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, received a special Indian team jersey with his iconic number 10 from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah during the final leg of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in New Delhi. This moment has become one of the most talked-about highlights of Messi’s visit to India, blending the nation’s passion for cricket and global football stardom.
The gift was presented at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during Messi’s final event in the national capital, where he also engaged with young fans, participated in interactive activities, and received other symbolic memorabilia.
Historic Moment at Arun Jaitley Stadium
On December 15, 2025, Lionel Messi concluded the GOAT India Tour in Delhi, marking the fourth and final city after Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Amid widespread fan fervor and packed crowds, Messi was presented with a Team India jersey featuring his well-known No. 10, a number that has defined his career in football and now symbolizes a unique cultural crossover in India.
The presentation was made by Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and accompanied by additional memorabilia, including a framed cricket bat, as a gesture celebrating the link between India’s favorite sport and the global appeal of football.
Messi’s Interaction With Indian Fans and Icons
During the event, Messi charmed fans by signing autographs, interacting with children on the pitch, and playing short football drills, including a rondo session that delighted the crowd.
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The visit also featured interactions with Indian football and sports personalities. Messi met former Indian goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, showcasing the growing connection between international and Indian sporting cultures.
Cultural Crossover: Cricket and Football United
This gifting moment was not the first instance of sporting crossover during Messi’s India tour. In an earlier stop in Mumbai, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar also presented Messi with an Indian jersey, reinforcing the theme of unity between India’s cricket culture and global football admiration.
Tendulkar’s gesture, giving his signed Team India shirt to Messi, received significant attention on social media and was seen as a symbolic meeting of two sports legends from different worlds.
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Tour Highlights and Reception
The GOAT India Tour 2025 has been a major event across multiple Indian cities, bringing Messi together with fans, celebrities, and government officials. The final Delhi leg showcased enthusiastic public support, with packed venues and security arrangements to manage the significant crowds.
Despite some chaos during earlier stops, particularly in Kolkata, where mismanagement led to fan frustration, Messi’s later engagements in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi were widely celebrated with smoother execution and heightened public engagement.
Why This Matters
Messi receiving an Indian No. 10 jersey from Jay Shah goes beyond a mere gift exchange. It represents:
- A bridge between cricket and football fandoms in India.
- A cultural celebration of two globally iconic sports figures.
- A moment of recognition for Messi’s immense global appeal among Indian sports fans.
These gestures reflect a rare convergence of sporting traditions in a country where cricket has long been the dominant passion, yet football is rapidly gaining support.
The sight of Lionel Messi in an Indian No. 10 jersey, presented by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, has become an emblematic moment of the GOAT India Tour 2025.
This event not only underlined Messi’s status as one of the world’s most beloved athletes but also marked a memorable cultural moment connecting Indian cricket heritage with international football greatness.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why was Messi given an Indian jersey?
A. Messi was gifted the Indian No. 10 jersey as a symbolic gesture during his GOAT India Tour, celebrating the connection between football and Indian sporting culture.
Q2. Who presented the jersey to Messi?
A. The jersey was presented by Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Q3. Where did this event take place?
A. The gift exchange happened at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on December 15, 2025, during the tour’s final event.
Q4. Did Messi receive other gifts during the tour?
A. Yes, Messi also received a framed cricket bat and earlier in the tour was gifted a signed Indian jersey by Sachin Tendulkar.
Q5. What is the GOAT India Tour 2025?
A. The GOAT India Tour 2025 is a multi-city promotional and fan engagement tour by Lionel Messi, featuring events and meet-and-greets across Indian cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
Also Read- What Sachin Tendulkar Said On Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour Visit To Mumbai
