Legendary Argentina footballer Lionel Messi set foot in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday morning, marking his first visit to the country in 14 years for the multi-day GOAT tour celebrating his illustrious career.
Only a handful of lucky airport staff managed to get a glimpse of one of the greatest football players in the world, as he stepped down from his sleek, white Gulfstream V (GV) private jet, and was quickly led away.
Messi's visit has also sparked curiosity over the Argentine footballer's luxurious, ultra-long-range business jet, for which he reportedly paid $15 million.
Adorned with his jersey number '10', the Gulfstream V is registered in Argentina as the LV-IRQ, which can be seen on the outside of one of the jet's engines.
Also, the aircraft's steps are engraved with the names of his wife, Antonella, as well as their three children—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
Touted as the "first ultra-long-range business jet aircraft to enter the business aviation market" in 1997, the iconic jet boasts a range of 6,500 nautical miles with a maximum payload of nearly 3,000kg, Gulfstream Aerospace had said in a 2007 statement marking the tenth anniversary of the GV.
Notably, the GV was also the launch aircraft for the Rolls-Royce BR710 engine, which powered the G550 and G500 business jets that were only in production back in 2007.
What this means is that it could comfortably carry up to 16 passengers and fly non-stop from London to Singapore.
Measuring 29.38m long and just 7.87m tall, the aircraft is FAA-certified to fly at 51,000 feet, which helps it avoid most air traffic, where it cruises at about 885km/h.
The Gulfstream V will remain in India for the entirety of Messi's tour, expected to end in Delhi on Monday.