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New Delhi: The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour, which started off on a chaotic note, concluded with an unforgettable celebration as the football superstar promised his fans a return visit after creating lasting memories in just half an hour on Monday.

At the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, football took the spotlight as enthusiastic fans gathered to witness the magic of a player whose skills often seem beyond human ability.

The excitement peaked when Messi addressed the massive crowd, which included notable figures like Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC chairman Jay Shah, and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

Messi expressed his gratitude, saying, "I want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. It was a truly beautiful experience for us to share it."

Speaking in Spanish, a language not widely understood in the city, he conveyed his appreciation, stating, "Although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but experiencing it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us these days."

He assured the crowd, "We carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India. Thank you very much."

The much-anticipated event concluded successfully, following a tumultuous start in Kolkata during the tour's first leg on Saturday.

The thousands of fans in the stands, along with a few Indian celebrities and dignitaries, reveled in the joy of hosting one of the world's most recognizable athletes at this extravagant event.

They were likely captivated by Messi's extraordinary talent, humility, and the profound impact he has had on football over the past two decades.

Upon his arrival, Messi took a lap around the field, smiling and watching the celebrity match as spectators, many clad in the iconic blue and white Argentine jersey with No. 10, chanted his name.

He waved to the audience, a gesture he attempted in Kolkata but was unable to due to the overwhelming crowd of politicians and aides at the Salt Lake Stadium.

As confetti rained down, Messi occasionally kicked the ball into the stands alongside his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, during a round of the venue that welcomed around 25,000 attendees.

Messi honored the Minerva Academy team and played football with children after taking a photo with them, sharing smiles and handshakes.

During the event, Shah presented Messi with an Indian cricket team jersey featuring the No. 10. Suarez received a No. 9 jersey, while De Paul was given the No. 7 shirt.

Meanwhile, with Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to a concerning 452 earlier in the day, some fans were heard chanting "AQI, AQI" when CM Gupta arrived.

A Memorable Day for Fans

For Amog and Arnav Purohit, the Feroz Shah Kotla on Monday was more than just a venue; it was a pilgrimage.

The brothers were among the throngs of spectators, their eyes glued to the field, phones ready to capture the moment.

For years, Messi had been a part of their lives through late-night matches, whispered celebrations, and shared heartbreaks. Seeing him in person, even for a brief moment, felt surreal.

"This was a dream come true moment for us," Amog said, still processing the experience. "Watching him live... ideally, we would have liked to see him play, but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen."

Messi's visit was fleeting, perhaps too brief for fans who traveled from various states and countries. The crowd waited for about five hours, only for the Argentine icon to leave almost as quickly as he arrived.

"The crowd management could have been better. He was here for a really short time," Amog noted, his disappointment softened by perspective.

"We had planned to go for his Kerala match. Money was never a problem."

Arnav's journey was more literal; he flew in from Bengaluru with his partner, making time from work for this significant moment.

"I flew from Bangalore specially for this," he shared. "My brother and I have been Messi fans for a really long time. For him, we can do anything."

There were no goals to celebrate, no iconic left-footed shots to replay. Yet, as they queued for the metro, there was no regret, only quiet satisfaction.

Schedule Changes

Earlier that day, Messi arrived in Delhi for the final leg of the tour after his flight from Mumbai faced significant delays due to bad weather.

Originally scheduled to land in the national capital around 10:45 AM, his charter flight was delayed by foggy conditions.

He finally arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport around 2:30 PM and immediately headed to the Leela Palace Hotel for a Meet and Greet session with a select group.