Lionel Messi playing cricket? India could witness crossover of the century!

In what could become one of the most unforgettable sporting crossovers ever, football legend Lionel Messi may take guard at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, not as a footballer, but wielding a cricket bat.

According to reports, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to visit India between December 13 and 15, as part of a high-profile promotional tour. And the highlight? A proposed seven-a-side celebrity cricket match scheduled for December 14, where Messi could share the field with Indian sporting icons like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and even Sachin Tendulkar.

A Cricket Match Featuring Messi? Here’s What Reports Say

It all began when a top event management company approached the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) with a request to block Wankhede Stadium for December 14. As reported by The Indian Express, an MCA official confirmed to them that Messi will be at Wankhede Stadium on December 14, and that he is likely to play a cricket match too with former and current cricketers.

While nothing has been confirmed officially, the buzz surrounding the possible Messi vs Indian cricket legends face-off is already creating waves across social media.

Messi’s Return to India After 14 Years

Messi’s last visit to India was back in 2011, when he featured for Argentina against Venezuela in an international football friendly at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. That match drew thousands of fans and media attention, and this potential second visit in 2025 is expected to be just as electrifying, albeit in an entirely different sport.

An Iconic Crossover Moment?

Though Messi is not expected to take the game too seriously, it is, after all, a fun exhibition—the idea of Messi holding a cricket bat, standing opposite players like Dhoni or Kohli, has already captured the imagination of fans worldwide. The match could be a landmark moment in global sports entertainment, blending the two most passionately followed sports in the world: football and cricket.

Final Word

Whether you're a Messi fan, a cricket enthusiast, or simply love epic sporting moments, this rumoured match at Wankhede could be unmissable. All eyes now are on the organizers for official confirmation, but if reports turn out to be true, December 14 could witness a sporting event like no other.

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