Lionel Messi is returning to India after his first visit in 2011, but this trip will not involve any competitive football. His 2011 appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium drew more than 85,000 people who watched Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 in a FIFA friendly. This time, his schedule under the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ is limited to events and appearances, beginning on Saturday in Kolkata and ending on Monday in New Delhi. Messi will not play a match during the tour. The event is promotional and commercially planned. Kolkata, which has welcomed football icons including Maradona, Pele, Dunga and Ronaldinho, will host him again. Organisers have opened 78,000 seats at the Salt Lake Stadium, with ticket prices going up to Rs 7,000 for a 45-minute appearance on Saturday morning. Messi w

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