Lionel Messi To Play Cricket in India
Yes, you read that right. The man who’s made defenders dizzy from Barcelona to Buenos Aires might just be walking out at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium… with a cricket bat in hand.
December 14, 2025. Mark the date. That’s when the Wankhede could witness the most unlikely crossover in sporting history: Lionel Messi potentially facing off against MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in a 7-a-side celebrity cricket match. Football GOAT meets cricket royalty and it’s not a meme. It’s possibly happening.
From Nutmegs to Nicks: Why Is Messi in Wankhede Stadium
The Argentine magician is reportedly heading to India as part of a promotional tour that includes Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata between December 13-15. And while you’d expect press conferences and football clinics, this twist, a cricket match, has genuinely taken everyone by surprise.
An event agency has already reached out to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for permission to host the spectacle at Wankhede. The plan? A celebrity cricket exhibition, where Messi swaps his Adidas boots for a bat and pads and plays in a match alongside or against India’s biggest cricketing names.
Who Else Might Play? Ms Dhoni and Virat Kohli Might Play
It’s not just Messi and the usual suspects like Dhoni and Kohli. Buzz around the grapevine suggests Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma could also join in, making this a mega reunion of Indian cricket’s icons… with the GOAT of football thrown into the mix.
Wankhede’s seen World Cup finals and IPL madness but never Messi possibly bowling to Virat Kohli or Dhoni sledging him behind the stumps.
This Isn’t Messi’s First Indian Visit
Messi’s no stranger to Indian soil. Back in 2011, he played a friendly for Argentina against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. But that was strictly football. This time? We might just see the man take guard and swing a bat for real, even if it’s just a fun exhibition.
What’s the Format?
Reports suggest a 7-a-side cricket match, short, sharp, and full of star power. Think of it less as a serious match and more like a sporting carnival. Flashy kits, celeb moments, and enough Instagram reels to break the internet.
If approved, the event will likely pack out Wankhede like a World Cup final, with fans turning up just to see if Messi can hit a cricket ball like he hits top bins.
Messi at Wankhede: Why This Could Be Bigger Than It Sounds
This isn’t just another PR stunt. It’s a mashup of two of the biggest sporting fandoms on Earth, cricket and global football, coming together for what might be the most surreal sporting moment of 2025.
Football fans will get to see their icon in a new avatar. Cricket fans will witness Dhoni and Kohli goofing around with Messi. And the rest of us? We’ll probably still be processing this years from now.
Also Read- Tottenham Sign João Palhinha On Loan Deal: Midfield Reinforcement Set For North London Revival
