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Business Standard
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Save the date! Messi to visit India for an event at Wankhede on Dec 14
In a major boost for Indian football fans, especially in Mumbai, global football legend Lionel Messi is all set to visit the iconic Wankhede Stadium on December 14 for a special event. Known as one of the greatest footballers in history, Messi's upcoming appearance will mark a landmark moment at a venue primarily celebrated for its cricketing heritage, including India's unforgettable 2011 Cricket World Cup win. A source within the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that the organizers, Wizcraft, have received the green light to host a ticketed event featuring the football icon. "Yes, permission has been granted by the Apex Council after a formal request was submitted. Some well-known Indian cricketers are also likely to attend," the official told Times of India. "Yes, Messi is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14. The organisers of the event (Wizcraft) have sought permission for the event, which will be ticketed. Their request was discussed by the Mumbai Cricket Association's Apex Council in a meeting recently and the permission was granted," a reliable source in the MCA told TOI on Friday. "A couple of superstar cricketers may also attend the event," he added. Messi to visit three cities during India visit Messi's India visit, scheduled between December 13 and 15, will span three major cities, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, as part of a celebratory tour highlighting his legendary career and contributions to the sport. In Kolkata, Messi will be honored at Eden Gardens, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expected to be present at the felicitation ceremony. During his stay in Kolkata, Messi will also lead a youth football workshop and inaugurate a football clinic. A special seven-a-side competition titled the "GOAT CUP" will be held in his name at the Eden Gardens, adding to the festivities. Messi to play alongside Virat Kohli, Dhoni? Reports suggest that Lionel Messi might take part in a light-hearted cricket match during his visit to India, possibly going up against some of the country's most celebrated cricketers, including MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. The idea of the football icon stepping onto the cricket pitch has generated a wave of excitement among fans, as it would mark a rare and memorable crossover between two of the world's most loved sports. If it happens, the event would bring together football and cricket fans alike, making for a truly unique spectacle that blends star power, entertainment, and sporting fun. Messi's Kerala visit yet to be confirmed Meanwhile, Kerala is preparing to welcome Messi and the Argentina national football team later this year. Kerala's Sports Minister, V Abdurahiman, confirmed that Messi will lead Argentina in a friendly match at Thiruvananthapuram's Greenfield International Stadium in either October or November. The match will be backed by the state government, which has pledged full support and hospitality. This marks Messi's second visit to India. His first appearance was back in September 2011, when he played in a friendly fixture against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. Now 38 and playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi is in the final stages of an illustrious footballing journey.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Messi is all set to come to India: Football legend will visit these cities in December; Check full schedule
Football fans in India are in for a major treat this December, as global football legend Lionel Messi is expected to visit Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium for a special event on December 14, according to a report by The Times of India (TOI). Earlier, on June 6, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had confirmed that the Argentina national team, led by Messi, will play a friendly match in Kerala in October or November at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala government had announced plans to host the team with full state support and as official guests. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree others Project Management healthcare MCA Digital Marketing Leadership Design Thinking Data Science Data Science Product Management Operations Management CXO Finance Technology Data Analytics Others Healthcare Management Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence PGDM MBA Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The Wankhede Stadium, famous for hosting India's 2011 World Cup cricket triumph, will now witness a moment of global football significance with Messi's presence. As per the TOI report, event organisers Wizcraft have sought and received permission from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to host the ticketed event at the iconic venue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo "Yes, Messi is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14. The organisers of the event (Wizcraft) have sought permission for the event, which will be ticketed. Their request was discussed by the Mumbai Cricket Association's Apex Council in a meeting recently and the permission was granted," a source in the MCA told TOI. "A couple of superstar cricketers may also attend the event," the source added. Live Events According to the same report, Messi is scheduled to visit Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai from December 13 to 15, participating in a series of celebratory events honouring his storied football career. In Kolkata, Messi will reportedly be felicitated at Eden Gardens, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee likely to attend. His itinerary there includes a football workshop for children, a clinic launch, and a seven-a-side tournament titled the 'GOAT Cup' in his honour. Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, had previously visited India in September 2011, when he played a friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi's career includes: 8 Ballon d'Ors 6 European Golden Shoes 45 team trophies 870+ career goals 380+ assists Leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory He also holds records for the most goals in a calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona), most goals in La Liga (474), most World Cup goal contributions (21), and most in Copa América (32).
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera owns a Rs 1.4 crore Range Rover, has reported net worth of Rs 100 crore, is ready to take a bullet for his ‘maalik'
While Salman Khan's personal and professional life has seen its share of ups and downs, there has been one constant: his bodyguard Shera. In 2012, Salman was even inspired to make a movie based on Shera's presence in his life, titled Bodyguard. In interviews over the years, Shera has spoken about his dedication to Salman, and has vowed to serve him till his dying day. Shera has also spoken about the difficulties that Salman has experienced in the years that that he's worked under him. Shera was born in Mumbai's Andheri to a Punjabi Sikh family, and his real name is Gurmeet Singh Jolly. He dropped out of school in the 11th standard, because he was obsessed with bodybuilding. He won the junior Mr Mumbai 1987 and came second in the junior Mr Maharashtra in 1987-88. Shera started working in the security business with Andre Timmins' Wizcraft. 'He was my neighbour, we grew up together, his brothers are close to me. He told me 'Why don't you do security?' So, I started with Wizcraft,' Shera told Mint in a 2011 interview. Shera started working with Salman in 1997, after Sohail Khan hired him to run security for 'Bhai' in Indore. Before that, they'd met briefly when Shera was handling security for Hollywood star Keanu Reeves during an India visit. Shera told Mint, 'I had just set up my own company—Tiger Security—and that year (1995) Sohailbhai (Khan's brother) called me because he wanted someone to go with Salman for shows and all. Sohailbhai was impressed with me, seeing my the way I talk and all. He asked me: 'Eh yaar, bhai ke saath tu rahega kya? Rahega na? (Will you stay with bhai? You'll stay, won't you?)'.' The deal was sealed. 'That time I used to wear a turban. I am a Sikh. Because of my job I had to leave the turban. It was not possible to keep because of the crowds. So I had to cut my hair. I started wearing a cap. We went for a show and gelled well.' Also read – Meet Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera: The man who calls Salman maalik At the trailer launch event for Bodyguard, Shera said, 'I am ready to take a bullet for him. But Bhai is the real-life bodyguard; if push comes to shove, he can take 10 bullets for his family and friends.' At the same event, Salman expressed the trust he has in Shera. 'I can trust him with everything. I can trust him with money, I can trust him with women, I can trust him with my family, I can trust him with my life. I can trust him before alcohol and after alcohol,' he said. At the launch event, Salman recalled a story of a drunk Shera challenging everybody to a boxing match. 'I remember one night, everybody had had a little too much to drink, and suddenly, they wanted to spar. I heard sounds of bodies hitting the floor, and saw my brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's mouth split open because Shera was in total form. He then called me over, and taunted me by saying, 'No bodyguard around to protect you today'. I told him to chill, but he wouldn't. So I wore the gloves, and saw Shera running towards me. I got a lucky shot in, and I knew that I couldn't give him the chance to hit me back, so I kept punching him while he was down. Shera was so drunk, he started crying. He went into the kitchen, came out with a toothpick, and started slashing himself with it. 'Maalik, I can do anything for you', he said,' Salman recalled with a laugh. Read more – Does Shah Rukh Khan's bodyguard Ravi earn Rs 2.7 crore annually, Salman Khan's Shera deal in crores? Bollywood bodyguard Yusuf Ibrahim busts myths Even on his first-ever assignment with Salman, Shera needed an extra boost to get through the day. He told Mint, 'I was little tired. He gave me a pill. Bole, 'Have this'. One dose of something he gave me. I had it. You can't believe it: I ran 8 km in front of his car to clear the road (of fans). That was the job I did with Bhai.' Because of his long association with Salman, and his even longer stint as an entrepreneur, it has been reported that Shera's net worth is Rs 100 crore. He recently purchased a Range Rover worth Rs 1.4 crore. At the Bodyguard launch, Salman asked Shera who the 'woman' he was guarding when they first met, and Shera replied with a glint in his eye, 'Which one?' He knows everything about his 'Maalik', but Salman doesn't have an issue with him talking to the media. 'I never talked to the press actually. He told me, if you want you can talk. I said 'No, no'. Now, you see, things are changed. I will never write the book Salmanbhai joked about, that if I write, he will be doomed. Don't try to lead me there. It won't work,' he told Mint.
