Lionel Messi’s announcement about his India Tour in December 2025 has sent waves of excitement across the country. Fans are thrilled at the thought of finally watching the Argentine legend live in action. But a burning question has emerged among football lovers: Did Ronaldinho and Emiliano Martinez play a role in Messi’s decision to tour India?
Yes, Ronaldinho and Emiliano Martinez played a significant role in convincing Lionel Messi to tour India in December 2025. Satadru Dutta, the organizer of Messi’s “GOAT Tour of India 2025,” leveraged the successful visits of Martinez and Ronaldinho to Kolkata in 2023 to build trust and enthusiasm for the event. Dutta specifically asked both players to share positive feedback with Messi and his team, emphasizing the warm reception they received in India.
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How Ronaldinho & Martinez Convinced Messi for His India Tour!
- Star Power Influence: Ronaldinho and Emiliano Martinez, two football legends, played a huge role in getting Lionel Messi excited about touring India in December 2025. Their own amazing experiences in India were key!
- Kolkata’s Warm Welcome: Back in 2023, Martinez visited Kolkata just months after Argentina’s epic 2022 World Cup victory, followed by Ronaldinho a few months later. Both were greeted by massive, cheering crowds, showing India’s love for football.
- A Little Friendly Persuasion: Satadru Dutta, the mastermind behind Messi’s “GOAT Tour of India 2025,” asked Ronaldinho and Martinez to share their awesome Kolkata experiences with Messi. He wanted them to tell Messi how much Indian fans adore their football heroes!
- Building Trust: Their glowing reviews about the passionate fans and well-organized visits helped convince Messi and his team that India would roll out the red carpet for the GOAT.
- Behind-the-Scenes Talks: Satadru didn’t stop there! He met with Messi’s dad and agent, Jorge, in Miami in July 2024, and then with Messi himself in February 2025. These chats, combined with Ronaldinho and Martinez’s endorsements, sealed the deal.
- Tour Kickoff Buzz: Thanks to their efforts, Messi’s four-city tour will kick off in Kolkata on December 12, 2025, promising an unforgettable experience for Indian fans!
Also Read :- Excited!! Lionel Messi India Tour 2025 – Dates, Venues, and Full Guide
Ronaldinho’s Connection with India 🇧🇷➡️🇮🇳
Ronaldinho, Messi’s former FC Barcelona teammate and close friend, has always shared a warm relationship with India. Over the years, Ronaldinho has:
- Participated in exhibition matches in Kolkata.
- Launched grassroots football initiatives in the country.
- Publicly praised the passion of Indian fans.
Many believe Ronaldinho encouraged Messi to experience that same unmatched Indian fan love. Considering their friendship, Ronaldinho’s influence cannot be ignored.
Emiliano Martinez’s Strong Bond with Indian Fans 🧤
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez has developed a massive following in India, especially after Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2022 victory. Martinez:
- Has openly praised Indian fans on social media.
- Visited Kolkata in 2023 for promotional events.
- Often mentions how much respect he feels from Indian supporters.
With Martinez’s positive experiences in India, it’s very possible that he encouraged Messi to see the country’s football craze firsthand.
Messi’s Own Motivation 🌍
While Ronaldinho and Martinez might have influenced his decision, Messi also has his personal reasons for the tour:
- To connect with his huge Indian fan base.
- To inspire young footballers in a cricket-dominated nation.
- To promote global football culture in Asia.
Messi is known for valuing fans worldwide, and India represents one of the largest and most passionate untapped audiences.
What This Means for Indian Football ⚽
If true, Ronaldinho and Martinez’s influence on Messi’s India Tour could be historic. This visit will:
- Boost football’s popularity in India.
- Attract international media coverage.
- Open doors for more global stars to perform and play in the country.
FAQs: Messi India Tour 2025
Q1. Did Ronaldinho ask Messi to come to India?
- Ronaldinho has visited India multiple times, especially Kolkata, and praised the passion of Indian fans.
- His strong friendship with Messi since Barcelona days makes it likely he encouraged him.
- While not officially confirmed, his influence is widely believed to be a factor.
Q2. How is Emiliano Martinez connected to India?
- Martinez visited Kolkata in 2023 and was amazed by the fan support.
- He regularly thanks Indian fans on social media for their love.
- His positive experience may have inspired Messi to consider India.
Q3. When is Messi’s India Tour happening?
- Scheduled for December 2025, during the festive holiday season.
- Exact dates will be officially announced a few months in advance.
- Fans should track ticketing platforms and Messi’s official channels for updates.
Q4. Which cities will Messi visit?
- Likely venues: Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi, due to stadium capacity and fan bases.
- Kolkata is almost certain, being the “Mecca of Indian Football.”
- Other cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad are rumored but unconfirmed.
Q5. Will Messi play matches in India?
- Yes, Messi will feature in friendly exhibition matches.
- These games will include international stars and possibly Asian clubs.
- Designed to be entertainment-focused rather than competitive.
Q6. Will Ronaldinho or Martinez join Messi on tour?
- No official confirmation yet of either joining.
- Both have strong ties to India: Ronaldinho with past matches, Martinez with recent visits.
- If they come, it could turn into a major South American football reunion.
Q7. How can fans buy tickets?
- Tickets will be sold on BookMyShow, Paytm Insider, and official event sites.
- Fans must avoid unauthorized sellers to prevent scams.
- Early registrations and notifications will be key due to high demand.
Q8. What will be the ticket price range?
- Prices expected to start at around ₹2,000 for general entry.
- VIP packages may cross ₹50,000+, including premium seating and fan perks.
- All categories are expected to sell out very quickly.
Q9. Will Messi’s family travel with him?
- Messi often travels with his wife Antonela and their children.
- Highly likely they will accompany him to India for the tour.
- They may also explore Indian cultural sites, making the trip more personal.
Q10. Why is Messi touring India now?
- India has one of the largest Messi fan bases but has never hosted him officially.
- Football’s global expansion and Asia’s growing sports market make the timing ideal.
- Influences from Ronaldinho, Martinez, and India’s passion for football played a big role.