KOLKATA: Thousands of fans braved the December chill and waited past midnight in Kolkata to welcome Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, as he arrived in the city during the early hours of Saturday as part of his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. Messi’s flight touched down at 2.26am, triggering scenes of jubilation at the international arrivals terminal. Gate 4 quickly filled with chanting supporters waving Argentina flags, filming on their phones and sprinting between entrances in the hope of catching even a fleeting glimpse of the football icon. Children were lifted onto shoulders, drums echoed through the terminal and chants of “Messi! Messi!” rang out as the footballer was escorted through a VIP exit under heavy security. A convoy then took him to his hotel, whe

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