Lionel Messi's support for Team India ahead of T20 World Cup final

Argentine star had earlier visited India during his widely celebrated 2025 tour

Last updated: March 08, 2026 | 12:23

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

Jay Shah gifts T20 World Cup tickets, a signed jersey, and a bat to Lionel Messi during the GOAT India Tour event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

IANS

Dubai: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has gone viral after wearing a Team India jersey in a show of support for the Men in Blue ahead of the T20 World Cup final. India are set to face New Zealand in the title match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

The image, posted by Adidas India on social media, quickly gained attention, with Messi donning the Indian cricket team’s jersey. Fans praised the unexpected crossover between one of football’s greatest icons and India’s cricketing powerhouse.

The moment also reminded fans of Messi’s iconic 2025 India tour, when the Argentine star visited multiple cities as part of the “GOAT India Tour.” During this trip, Messi engaged in promotional activities, met fans, and participated in special sporting events across the nation.

In the final leg of his tour in New Delhi, Messi was gifted a Team India cricket jersey and a cricket bat by the International Cricket Council president, Jay Shah. The event was also a chance for him to meet Indian athletes, including cricketers and several Olympic and Paralympic champions.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

Lionel Messi's support for Team India ahead of T20 World Cup final

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