Wankhede Stadium has witnessed countless historic moments but Sunday evening brought a rare sight that blended two sporting worlds into one unforgettable scene. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and football superstar Lionel Messi came together at the iconic venue, creating a moment that instantly captured the imagination of fans across India.
Lionel Messi was in Mumbai as part of the third leg of his four-city GOAT India Tour and spent nearly an hour at Wankhede Stadium. During his visit, he interacted with young footballers, met several prominent figures and shared time with Sachin Tendulkar, Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and well-known personalities from the entertainment industry. The images from the meeting, shared by Sachin Tendulkar on social media, quickly went viral and drew massive attention.
Lionel Messi arrived at the stadium along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul. They walked out onto the field shortly after Sacin Tendulkar reached the venue around 5:45 pm. For a brief moment, Wankhede experienced something it rarely has in the past — the familiar chants of “Sachin, Sachin” were overtaken by loud cries of “Messi, Messi” as fans welcomed the football legend.
The balance, however, was soon restored. When Sachin Tendulkar was later invited to join Lionel Messi on stage, the stadium erupted once again with chants in his name, bringing back the atmosphere that has defined Wankhede for decades. Speaking to the crowd, Sachin Tendulkar reflected on his deep connection with the venue, recalling the countless memories and dreams fulfilled there, including the unforgettable 2011 World Cup triumph made possible by fan support.
He described Lionel Messi’s presence as a special moment not just for Mumbai but for the entire country, praising the football icon for achieving everything the sport has to offer. His words reflected admiration rather than comparison, highlighting respect between two legends of different games.
Sachin Tendulkar shared pics on Instagram and Facebook with the caption, “Must say, today was a 10/10 day @leomessi”
https://www.facebook.com/SachinTendulkar/posts/pfbid02DVdqSSE9R2rifGtPMLZYfmTDfi3TWYcEbPy8jyNc3k6quRoXRVoVZaBYiVFxgFoAl
As Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former AIFF president Praful Patel, and Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff took their seats near the Garware Pavilion, Messi, Suárez, and De Paul remained on the field, engaging with young players and soaking in the atmosphere.
It was an evening where sport transcended boundaries and two global icons shared the same spotlight.
