New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav had a memorable interaction with Argentine football great Lionel Messi, receiving an autographed jersey during the latter’s visit to the national capital as part of his ‘G.O.A.T India Tour 2025’.
Adidas India shared images from the meeting on Instagram, showing Kuldeep alongside fellow brand athletes, including two-time Paralympic javelin throw champion Sumit Antil and para high-jump World Championship gold medallist Nishad Singh.
The photographs also featured Antil posing with his javelin next to Messi, who was seen wearing India’s T20 jersey. Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen and Women’s World Cup-winning pacer Renuka Singh Thakur were also present at the event. Messi signed a cricket ball for Renuka and an Argentina jersey for Nishad, adding to the highlights of the interaction.
Kuldeep has previously spoken about his admiration for FC Barcelona, the club Messi represented for several years before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami.
Messi began his four-city India tour in Kolkata, followed by visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai, before concluding in New Delhi on December 15.
In the capital, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah presented Indian team jerseys to Messi and fellow Argentine footballers Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Messi received a customised India jersey bearing the number 10, while Suarez and De Paul were presented jerseys numbered 9 and 7, respectively.
During his visit, Messi also met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley. Shah also invited Messi to attend the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The tour concluded with Messi’s visit to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, before he departed from India.
