“Thanks Mumbai, you’re the actual GOAT crowd,” tweeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after the profitable completion of the GOAT Tour in Mumbai. On December 14, the long-lasting Wankhede Stadium hosted what turned out to be a close to good occasion, as Lionel Messi, Sunil Chhetri, and Sachin Tendulkar got here collectively on one stage. The night was devoted to celebrating one of many best footballers of all time, Lionel Messi, in entrance of an adoring Indian viewers.
Not like the occasion in Kolkata, the place the group misplaced their cool and vandalised the Salt Lake Stadium, the Mumbai crowd and organizers displayed outstanding self-discipline and respectFollowers showered love and admiration on Messi, permitting the occasion to unfold easily because the soccer legend went about his appearances and interactions on the Wankhede Stadium with none disruptions,
Through the occasion, Messi performed just a few passes with youngsters, participated in a pleasant penalty shootout, and exchanged jerseys with Indian soccer icon Sunil Chhetri and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The gang remained on their ft all through the night, cheering loudly for each second involving the celebrities. Their power and enthusiasm helped flip the occasion right into a memorable night time for followers, and for all the proper causes.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to take a refined dig on the Kolkata crowd and the native administration following the graceful execution of the Mumbai occasion. He took to social media to reward town, stating that Mumbai had proven why it deserved to be referred to as one of the best crowd of all time.
“Thank You Mumbai, you’re the Actual GOAT crowd!” the Chief Minister wrote on Sunday.
Thank You Mumbai, you’re the Actual GOAT crowd!
Love you all! ,#MessiInMumbai #LionelMessiinindia #GOATIndiaTour2025 pic.twitter.com/YfWqOH3E66— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 14, 2025
Earlier, chaos had ensued in Kolkata when followers grew offended with the organisers. With Lionel Messi surrounded by politicians and VIPs contained in the stadium, giant sections of the group have been unable to get even a glimpse of their favourite star. Frustration quickly boiled over, as followers left their seats and forcefully entered the pitch by breaking gates and toppling barricades. The offended crowd additionally ripped off seats contained in the stadium, inflicting important harm.
The unrest pressured Messi to chop his Kolkata look brief and go away town sooner than deliberate. Regardless of the disagreeable expertise, he went on to attend two subsequent occasions, honoring his dedication to followers throughout the nation. The occasions in Hyderabad and Mumbai proceeded easily after the Kolkata incident, with improved safety and crowd administration. Nevertheless, following the Kolkata catastrophe, the chief organizer of the tour, Satadru Dutta, was arrested by the police on expenses of negligence in making certain ample safety.
Fadnavis booed
Amid what was in any other case a largely profitable and effectively obtained occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discovered himself dealing with an surprising backlash from a bit of followers through the closing levels of the night. Taking the microphone, he introduced Mission Mahadev, a grassroots initiative geared toward selling and growing soccer throughout the nation.
Nevertheless, within the backdrop of the occasions that had unfolded the day before today and Maharashtra’s complicated and infrequently polarized political panorama, the announcement didn’t strike a optimistic chord with everybody current. As Fadnavis started his tackle and tried to greet the viewers, loud and sustained boos rang out from elements of the stands, briefly disrupting the proceedings.
The seasoned politician was fast to learn the temper contained in the stadium and responded with composure. He started chanting “Ganapati Bappa,” a name that was immediately met with a powerful “Morya” from the group. The acquainted chant helped ease tensions, settle the ambiance, and allowed Fadnavis to regain management of the second, making certain the occasion concluded with out additional incident.
Lionel Messi is ready to fly out to New Delhi on Monday, the place he’s scheduled to satisfy Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier than attending one other occasion on the Arun Jaitley Stadium as a part of his ongoing go to to India.
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