Bollywood Stars Meet Lionel Messi During His Mumbai Visit, Fans Witness Rare Celebrity Crossover

Global football icon Lionel Messi’s visit to Mumbai turned into a star-studded affair on Sunday, as several leading Bollywood personalities met the Argentine legend across two high-profile events in the city. From intimate family moments to grand stadium interactions, the meet-and-greets highlighted Messi’s massive popularity beyond the football world.

Daytime Meet at CCI: Family Moments with the GOAT

The celebrations began at the Cricket Club of India (CCI), where actor Kareena Kapoor Khan attended a special daytime event with her sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan. Visuals from the venue showed Kareena smiling alongside Messi, his Argentina teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, while her children posed proudly in Argentina jerseys.

Kareena opted for a chic khaki-brown ensemble featuring embroidered detailing, while Taimur and Jeh’s football jerseys reflected the excitement of meeting their sporting hero. Ahead of the interaction, Kareena had shared her anticipation on Instagram, posting a picture with her sons as they prepared to meet the football legend.

Actor Geeta Basra also attended the CCI event with her family. Later, she shared photos from the meet-and-greet on social media, calling Messi the “G.O.A.T” and thanking organisers and Mumbai Police for ensuring smooth arrangements.

Evening at Wankhede: Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff Join the Spotlight

The celebrations continued in the evening at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, where actors Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff met Messi on the field. Videos circulating online captured the actors greeting the footballer and sharing a brief conversation.

Tiger Shroff’s interaction was linked to the launch of Project Mahadeva, described by organisers as an ambitious football development initiative in Maharashtra. Social media posts described the meeting as a symbolic moment bringing together global icons from sport and cinema.

Messi’s India Tour Draws Big Names

Messi’s Mumbai appearances followed his Kolkata visit a day earlier as part of the GOAT Tour of India 2025. In Kolkata, actor Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam Khan attended a special meet-and-greet session with the football star, further underscoring the cross-industry appeal of the Argentine great.

Why It Matters

Messi’s India tour reflects the growing popularity of global football in the country and its expanding cultural footprint. The presence of leading Bollywood stars at these events highlights how international sport, celebrity culture and grassroots football initiatives are increasingly intersecting in India.