GOAT India Tour: Lionel Messi gets official invitation for T20 World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour is nearing its end. After a major hiccup on the opening day in Kolkata, things have gone smoothly in Hyderabad and Mumbai. Today (December 15) marks the final day of the tour and Messi's trip signs off in the capital city of New Delhi where he once again spent time with select kids and major celebrities from various walks of life.

A defining moment during the Delhi leg was International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah's official invitation to Lionel Messi for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 that is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Shah handed over an exclusive ticket for India's opening game of the tournament, which is against USA in Mumbai on February 7.

Messi was also presented with a signed bat and an official India jersey bearing his name as well as no.10 on the back as a souvenir. This moment comes a day after the football legend received the iconic Sachin Tendulkar World Cup 2011 jersey from the cricket legend himself in Mumbai. Messi had also gifted his signed 2022 World Cup jersey to India's football icon Sunil Chhetri during the same event.