Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartwarming post after meeting Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning superstar Lionel Messi at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Heartfelt Post After Meeting Lionel Messi Goes Viral
It truly turned into a Super Sunday for sports fans, as the usual cricket versus football debates were forgotten for a while. Instead, fans witnessed two global sporting icons come together in a moment that will surely be remembered as a landmark in India’s sporting history.
Taking to X, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Must say, today was a 10/10 day Leo Messi”, a special line that also hinted at the Team India No. 10 jersey he presented to Messi, who wears the same number for Argentina.
Check out the Tweet:
Must say, today was a 10/10 day Leo Messi 😉 pic.twitter.com/L6AaYY1PdL
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 14, 2025
Wankhede Becomes the Center of a Historic Crossover:
Wankhede Stadium, known for hosting some of India’s most unforgettable moments like India’s 2011 World Cup win and Virat Kohli’s 50th ODI century, transformed into something truly unique. On this night, cricket, football, music, Bollywood, and even politics came together, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion and excitement. The visuals from the evening were nothing short of iconic.
As the event began, the anchor worked up the crowd, and loud chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi” echoed across the stadium as fans eagerly waited for the football legend to arrive.
Music, Dance, and Celebrations Set the Mood:
Popular DJ Chetas kicked off the celebrations with a specially curated music set. The stadium rang with Bollywood hits and international favorites, including Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire, K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag, the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and B Praak’s Teri Mitti.
This was followed by vibrant cultural dance performances by students, adding color and energy to the evening.
Friendly Football Match Brings Stars Together:
A friendly football match followed, featuring Indian Stars versus Mitra Stars. The Indian Stars team included actors Tiger Shroff and Jim Sarbh, along with Indian footballers Nikhil Poojari and Bala Devi. On the other side, Mitra Stars had Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and his Bengaluru FC teammates Rahul Bheke and Chinglensana Singh Konsham.
The Arrival Everyone Was Waiting For:
The stadium erupted as Lionel Messi finally walked onto the field, joined by his Inter Miami FC teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The noise reached another level as fans showered Messi with chants and applause, and the football stars paused to soak in the love from the crowd.
After the match, players from both teams lined up to meet Messi. One of the most emotional moments of the night followed, as Messi and Sunil Chhetri shared a warm hug, marking a historic crossover moment for Indian football.
Lionel Messi Inspires Young Footballers on the Field:
Messi and his teammates also spent time with young girls from the state’s grassroots football initiative, Project Mahadeva. The young players shared the pitch with one of the greatest footballers of all time, passing the ball and creating memories they will never forget.
The excitement continued as Messi and his teammates kicked footballs into the stands, with every kick drawing louder cheers than the last.
Read More
Special Felicitations and a Meaningful Initiative:
Lionel Messi presented Sunil Chhetri with a signed Argentina jersey and was later felicitated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Messi and his teammates were also given a special memento by the Chief Minister.
Project Mahadeva was officially unveiled by Devendra Fadnavis alongside Messi. The Chief Minister thanked Messi for inspiring young players and said that “they would be seen playing in a FIFA World Cup” in the future. Actor Tiger Shroff, who is associated with the project, also came onto the field. While he met Messi and marked a Bollywood-football crossover, he was met with loud boos from the crowd.
Sachin Tendulkar and Messi Share the Spotlight:
The most awaited moment of the night arrived when Sachin Tendulkar joined Messi on stage. The ‘God of Cricket’ presented Messi with a Team India jersey as Sachin, Lionel Messi, Suarez, De Paul, and the Chief Minister posed together for photographs.
Speaking about the moment and the importance of the occasion, Tendulkar said, “I have spent some incredible moments here, Mumbai is a City of Dreams and a number of dreams have seen a finishing line at this venue. Without your support, we would have never been able to see those golden moments in 2011 (in the Cricket World Cup win). Having all three of them (Messi, Suarez and Paul) here is a golden moment for Mumbai and India. When it comes to Leo, it would not be the right platform to speak. What could anyone talk about him? He has achieved everything; we admire his dedication and commitment. He is loved so much for his humility and who he is. On behalf of all of us, I would like to wish his family the very best in health. Thank you for being here. Hope India football reaches the heights we aspire to.”
A Perfect Ending to a Special Night:
The event wrapped up with fans chanting the names of Sachin and Messi, one after the other, creating a fitting end to a truly unforgettable evening. Delhi will be the final stop for Messi on his GOAT India Tour on Monday, bringing an extraordinary journey to a close.
ALSO READ: Axar Patel Ruled Out Of Final Two T20Is Against South Africa
