Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami appeared before election officials in Kolkata. He was summoned for a hearing due to discrepancies found in his voter registration form. Shami, who has resided in Kolkata for years, was previously unable to attend due to cricket commitments
India-Poland Ties: EAM Jaishankar urged Poland to display zero tolerance for terrorism and also emphasised India's stance on the Ukraine conflict and termed "selective targeting" of New Delhi "unfair and unjustified." India-Poland Ties: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S
At the time of writing, around 76.8 per cent of users had voted in favour of the idea, although Musk has not clarified whether the poll reflects any serious takeover plan. New Delhi: Elon Musk has once again grabbed global attention by taking a business dispute to social media
RRB Group D Vacancy: The Railway Recruitment Board has postponed the application process for 22,000 RRB Group D posts. Initially, applications were set to start on January 21t, but they will now commence on January 31. According to the revised schedule by the Railway Recruitment Board
From AI-generated informational videos to car-calling systems, Delhi Traffic Police has rolled out a slew of technology-driven measures to ensure smooth traffic flow and a hassle-free commute for people heading to Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony
35 Minutes Of Messi, A Lifetime Of Memories: Leo's Final Indian Night
35 Minutes Of Messi, A Lifetime Of Memories: Leo's Final Indian Night
It's not often that godliness gets nudged aside in India. But when word spread of the God of football, Lionel Messi, touching down in New Delhi, even the gods seemed momentarily forgotten.
Almost three years to the day since he completed football itself — lifting the once elusive FIFA World Cup with his beloved Argentina — the legend finally made his way to the capital of India. This was not just another stop on a global tour; it was the culmination of a pilgrimage that had already wound its way through Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad, leaving behind echoes of chants, tears, and disbelief in its wake.
By the time the GOAT Messi Tour reached Delhi, the country was already spellbound. Kolkata, the spiritual heartland of Indian football, had set the tone weeks earlier. There, Messi's mere presence felt like destiny fulfilled — banners draped across streets, murals springing up overnight, and generations of fans who had grown up whispering his name finally seeing flesh and bone. A controversial and unfortunate trip panned out, though — as a city, its fans and their beloved and holy home for football, Salt Lake Stadium, were left in shambles. But the next stop made up for it.
Hyderabad, no less intense, embraced Messi with a reverence that bordered on devotional, fans travelling for hours just to stand where he might stand, breathe the same air, share the same moment. Mumbai followed with its own brand of frenzy — glitz, glamour, and packed venues that mirrored the city's relentless energy.
And then came Delhi.
It's no secret that La Pulga is revered everywhere. Just take Delhi for instance — or perhaps, in hindsight, don't. Though Messi was scheduled to arrive only in the afternoon, and despite a delayed flight that stretched the wait even further, nothing fazed his devotees. Thousands flocked to the gates of the Arun Jaitley Stadium hours early, standing shoulder to shoulder in near-silence, patient and uncomplaining, hoping — praying — for even a fleeting glimpse of the wily Argentine who had brought them here on what felt like a holy pilgrimage. Local bystanders, oblivious to the scale of the moment, looked on in confusion, asking aloud, “Is the Prime Minister coming today?"
It wasn't just the fans who rejoiced. For local businesses and street vendors, Messi's arrival was nothing short of a windfall. Cricket merchandise vanished almost instantly, replaced by a sea of Argentina jerseys, scarves, flags and face paint. Delhi bled blue and white. Even residents of the narrow galis surrounding the stadium — usually irritated by crowds gathering near the lone tapri selling cigarettes and water — were converted. They joined in, helping the shopkeeper squeeze every possible rupee out of this brief, golden window before the police shut things down. Prices were hiked, order was enforced with a stick wielded like a schoolteacher's ruler, and nicotine-starved fans queued obediently as everyone worked in unspoken coordination to make the most of Messi-mania.
For many, though, there was no need for any external highs. The company alone was enough. Raucous chants of “Visca Barca!" and “Campeones, Campeones, Olé Olé Olé!" tore through the crisp Delhi morning, cutting through the cold like a promise.
But as the fog lingered and the hours dragged on, reality began to bite. The delay gnawed at nerves. The sun crept out, warming shoulders and tempers alike, and frustration slowly — but surely — settled in.
Then, at half past four, almost two painstaking hours later than scheduled, it finally happened.
Lionel Messi. Luis Suárez. Rodrigo De Paul.
The trio stepped onto the Arun Jaitley Stadium turf for the very first time. A crowd that had stood frozen for hours exploded into chaos. The walk of honour began — footballs kicked casually into the stands, smiles exchanged — as the Delhi faithful lost themselves completely in the moment, impossible to hush in the now-chilly evening air.
And then came what we all dread: the formalities. The parade of dignitaries. The inevitable PR procession. Rekha Gupta. Jay Shah. Bhaichung Bhutia. And a handful of others whose only credential seemed to be proximity to power. Messi stood centre stage, polite, patient, distant — and the crowd responded in unison with boos that needed no translation.
Yet Delhi got its own, priceless caveat. Leo Messi took the microphone.
Addressing the faithful, he spoke softly, simply, to a crowd hanging onto every word, every gesture, every step he took on the hallowed grounds of the Feroz Shah Kotla. Here, it didn't matter that Leo spoke Spanish — for his faithful who had gathered in masses, it was his football that had spoken far more than enough over the last two decades. The language that transcended all boundaries and brought them close to the Argentine for a brief moment.
35 minutes, to be exact — just 35 minutes, where Delhi completely lost itself in the very presence of La Pulga. Every second was soaked in, treasured, stored away like something sacred.
And then, with one final wave goodbye — poof. He was gone.
Swipe Left For Next Video
Just like that, it was over. Perhaps the last time India will ever witness the GOAT in person, in their own backyard.
For some, it was a cruel pill to swallow. They lingered in the stands long after the lights dimmed, hoping for a miracle. Hoping for one last glance. For many others, it was a night that would live on forever — etched not just in memory, but in the soul.
Source: News18
Related Posts: India most important market for us Toyota Urban Cruiser EV India Launch After India Open Debacle A seat at Trump’s Gaza peace table could cost India its How India Moved Strategically With UAE Against Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact India vs New Zealand T20 Series 2026 Vivo X200T India launch confirmed for January 27 Pakistan to skip India T20 World Cup What's Behind India-Poland Tense Ties Despite Multiple Meeting India pacer Mohammed Shami appears before SIR panel in Kolkata
Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is planning meetings with members of the US delegation on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, signalling rare direct engagement between Moscow and Washington
1 days ago
The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure with former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi's public criticism of its orders concerning stray dogs. The court stated that her remarks constitute contempt of court. Justices noted her broad criticisms without consideration
1 days ago
A major tragedy was averted when security forces detected and defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway in North Kashmir. Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir averted a potential attack after discovering a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) in
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Nitin Nabin as he took over as BJP president and said, “I am a Karyakarta and Nitin Nabin is my Boss now." “I congratulate Nitin Nabin for becoming the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the world's largest political party
1 days ago
Being locked barefoot in an executioner's chair sounds uncomfortable, but that is what Chris Pratt requested for his latest film, Mercy. More familiar as a wisecracking action hero in blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, this role is quite a departure for him
1 days ago
Bodoland Lottery Results Today 20 January 2026 Live: The Assam Bodoland Lottery Department will declare its results today at 3 PM. Participants can view their results at bodollotteries.com, the official website, scroll down for more details.Bodoland Lottery Results Today 20 January 2026 Live: The
1 days ago
Just yesterday, the prime minister made the case for "calm discussion" with the United States. He wakes up this morning to President Trump personifying a political Catherine wheel: spinning, unpredictable, colourful and firing off reactions at every angle.Just yesterday
1 days ago
US President Donald Trump spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about Greenland. They agreed to a meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Trump highlighted Greenland's vital role in national and global security. The Arctic island's strategic location and its connection to transatlantic defense
1 days ago
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday walked out of the state Assembly without delivering the customary address on the opening day of the first session of the year. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ravi has walked out of the Assembly. On Tuesday
1 days ago
A 43-year-old delivery agent was allegedly run over at least four times by an SUV in Gurugram's Sector 93 on Monday, leaving him critically injured. A purported CCTV video of the incident surfaced on social media, showing five to six Swiggy riders standing at a roadside pickup point waiting to
1 days ago
India's first Switzerland-like funicular railway has opened at Malanggad near Kalyan in Thane district, reducing the two-hour uphill trek to the interfaith dargah to a quick 7-10 minute ride for Hindu and Muslim devotees. Thane gets India's first Switzerland-like cable car
1 days ago
Fuel stations are designed with several safety systems in place, but small mistakes by customers can still lead to dangerous situations. These simple safety steps can significantly reduce the risk of fire at fuel stations. Fuel stations are designed with several safety systems in place
1 days ago
The OnePlus 15 made its debut a few weeks back and the leaks about the OnePlus 16 have already started to surface online. The new leaks by Chinese tipsters claim that the company is testing some serious hardware upgrades for the OnePlus 15 successor
1 days ago
While Uthappa is a proponent of the system, he acknowledged that implementing such a drastic change is not without its risks. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has reignited the conversation regarding split-coaching for the national side following a historic series loss to New Zealand. Uthappa
1 days ago
US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne after France indicated that it would decline his invitation to join a proposed “Board of Peace". The body was initially envisioned to oversee the reconstruction of war-ravaged Gaza
1 days ago
Take an exclusive look inside Farah Khan's massive, palace-style set as part of The 50 House Tour, showcasing grandeur on an epic scale. Indian television audiences have a new reason to be excited as the much-anticipated reality show The 50 gears up for its grand premiere on February 1, 2026
1 days ago
Atlee and Priya tied the knot in November 2014. They were blessed with their firstborn Meer in 2023. Mumbai: Filmmaker Atlee and his wife Priya are all set to expand their family of three. On Tuesday, Priya and Atlee, who are already doting parents to son Meer
1 days ago
Skoda Kushaq Facelift: The updated midsize SUV brings changes to its exterior design, interior features, and powertrain options. Pre-bookings are now open, with prices expected to be announced in March. Skoda Kushaq Facelift: Skoda has revealed the Kushaq facelift for the Indian market
1 days ago
Before Monday's (January 19, 2026) fixture in the Women's Premier League, Gautami Naik was a largely unknown commodity in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star-studded batting unit. That is likely to change after the 27-year-old's 55-ball 73 — the middle-order batter's maiden half-century in her
1 days ago
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea from YouTuber Savukku Shankar. He sought to unseal his Chennai office and retrieve seized devices. The court directed him to approach the judicial magistrate. This follows allegations of assault and extortion by a film producer
1 days ago
Why Is Indian Stock Market Falling? The Indian stock market remained under heavy selling pressure for the second straight session on Tuesday, January 20, as weak global cues, rising trade-war concerns and muted Q3 earnings dampened investor sentiment
1 days ago
Pakistan Cricket Board has paused preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to uncertainty over Bangladesh's participation. Pakistan supports Bangladesh's demand to shift matches away from India over security concerns, threatening its own involvement if the issue isn't resolved
1 days ago
The Indian Army's Eastern Command has sought the intervention of West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in connection with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent allegation that a senior Army officer was using the command base at Fort William and working on the SIR exercise at the behest of the BJP
1 days ago
In the tit-for-tat exchange between Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and two of the club's most famous recent players, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes have had their say. On the same 'The Good, The Bad, The Football' podcast where they upset Martinez with their mickey-taking before the
1 days ago
European leaders take the stage on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) ahead of Donald Trump at the gathering of global elites in Davos, as the US president dangles tariff threats in a bid to pressure the EU over Greenland. Mr. Trump is set to dominate the week at the Swiss ski resort, with a U.S
1 days ago
King Mohammed VI of Morocco accepted an invitation by President Donald Trump to join as a founding member of the U.S.-led Board of Peace, Morocco's Foreign Ministry said on Monday (January 19, 2026)
1 days ago
Renewable energy to get fresh Budget boost with PM KUSUM 2.0: As India heads into the Union Budget 2026, sources told ET NOW that the renewable energy sector will likely get a fresh boost in the Budget. According to the sources, the government may announce the next phase of the PM KUSUM scheme in
1 days ago
