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Kuldeep Yadav met Lionel Messi throughout the GOAT Tour in Delhi, joined by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
Kuldeep Yadav with Lionel Messi in Latest Delhi (X)
Kuldeep Yadav ticked off a once-in-a-lifetime dream — meeting Lionel Messi throughout the football icon’s GOAT Tour of India in Delhi.
A large football fan, the Indian wrist-spinner was a part of a promotional shoot with Messi and made probably the most of it, snapping pictures and sharing a transient interaction with the Argentine legend.
“There’s a language we share — controlling the ball,” Kuldeep wrote on X, summing up the moment alongside a heart emoji for his idol.
The Delhi leg of the tour was star-studded, with Messi joined by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Indian sporting icons Renuka Thakur, Nikhat Zareen, Sumit Antil and Nishad Kumar were also a part of the shoot.
On the Arun Jaitley Stadium, ICC chairman Jay Shah presented customised India jerseys to Messi (No. 10), Suárez (No. 9) and De Paul (No. 7), and even handed Messi an invite to the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Messi also met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley before wrapping up the tour with an emotional message.
“I just wish to thank everyone for the love and affection during today in India. In truth, it was a very beautiful experience for us to have the opportunity to share it,” Messi stated.
“And even though it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but receiving it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, every part they did for us today.
“So, we supply all this love with us, and we will certainly return, hopefully in the future to play a match or on one other occasion, but we will certainly return to go to India. Thanks very much,” he added.
December 20, 2025, 13:40 IST
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