West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Bengal Brand Ambassador Shah Rukh Khan, his successor and former India captain Sourav Ganguly are expected to greet Argentine football great Lionel Messi on his arrival in West Bengal's capital on Saturday.

Lionel Messi himself has confirmed that he is coming to India between December 13-15, 2025 as he is expected to land at Kolkata airport from Miami via Dubai in the night of December 12/13 on his private jet with some of his Inter Miami teammates.

The atmosphere in the city is quite electric owing to making all arrangements in order, including tight security from airport to the stadium and hotel on EM Bypass. A 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi has been erected near the stadium by artist Monti Pal, sponsored by state fire brigade minister Sujit Bose, who is also a keen footballer. Messi is expected to unveil the statue.

Hindi film star and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rkuh Khan is agog to meet Messi, who is seen as one of the world's greatest footballers ever.

Messi, is all set to arrive in the city after 14 years when he led his country Argentina in a friendly match against Venezuela.

Shah Rukh Khan regularly visits Kolkata and especially when his team KKR play IPL in every season. But this time his itinerary is special, exclusively for the Argentinian great, who led his country to the World Cup 2022 title.

The Hindi film star expressed his eagerness to meet Messi

"This time round I am not planning my Knight in Kolkata and hoping the day Ride is completely 'Messi', see you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium," Khan said on his X handle.

Besides Kolkata, 'messiah of football' is scheduled to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi during his India tour starting from December 13.

His return to Kolkata after 14 years is memorable as this city first saw him wear captain's armband to lead his country Argentina with 1-0 victory against Venezuela and retained his captaincy after leading his South American football powerhouse to many laurels, including the 2022 World Cup against.

The iconic footballer will also take part in an exhibition match in Hyderabad and will join a musical show before moving to Mumbai.

A felicitation programme is also scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, December 15, for Messi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to honour the Argentinian footballer.

The Argentinian leaves for Hyderabad in the noon.