The first footballer to receive the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award, former Indian football captain and striker Shabbir Ali reflected on a moment that will remain etched in the heart of Indian football forever — Lionel Messi’s visit to India. For him, Messi’s visit was not merely a celebration, but a spark of hope.
“This was something truly special for Indian football. More importantly, it was an opportunity as well as an inspiration for every young boy and girl dreaming of playing this beautiful game,” said Shabbir, who understands better than most what such moments mean for the future of the game in the country.
Messi arrived in India as part of his GOAT India Tour, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez. Over the decades, India has been fortunate to witness legends like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham grace its soil. Yet, Messi’s visit carried a different emotion, one that deeply touched millions of fans across the country.
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“This is a magnificent moment for football,” Shabbir reflected. “A World Cup–winning captain, the greatest of our generation, coming to India fills the heart with pride. But it was also painful to see what happened in Kolkata, a city where football is worshipped.”
While chaos overshadowed events in Kolkata, Hyderabad emerged as the place where dreams came alive. “The best thing happened in my hometown, Hyderabad,” said Shabbir. “I am thankful that Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy personally took interest in welcoming Messi. For a leader to take time out of a busy schedule shows how powerful football can be.”
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, thousands of fans experienced an unforgettable evening. Amid tight security and thunderous cheers, Messi stepped onto the field, not just as a global icon, but as a living dream for every young footballer watching from the stands. He delighted the crowd by playing football on the pitch, kicking balls into the stands and connecting with fans in a way only football can.
Echoing similar emotions, Former Indian goalkeeper Brahmanand Sankhwalkar said, “Messi’s visit to India is a blessing in disguise. It tells our children that the world is watching us too.”
Perhaps the most symbolic moment of the visit came when Messi met Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium: two gods of two different games united by mutual respect. Tendulkar gifted Messi an Indian cricket jersey bearing his name. Messi also met Sunil Chhetri, India’s greatest modern footballer, in a moment that bridged generations and dreams.
For every young footballer practising barefoot on dusty grounds, and for every child waking up early to watch matches on television, Messi’s visit carried a powerful message: Dreams do come to India. And one day, they can come from India too.
By Joe Williams
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