I will be back — Lionel Messi thanks fans in india during GOAT tour

Football icon Lionel Messi concluded his whirlwind tour of India on Monday, taking a lap of honour at a New Delhi stadium to thank thousands of adoring fans for their "love and support."

The 38-year-old Argentine superstar was greeted by a nearly full Arun Jaitley Stadium, a venue typically reserved for cricket. Supporters, many dressed in Argentina's national colours, waved flags and chanted his name as he took to the field.

"It was beautiful to receive all the love and support. I knew it was there, but to receive it first-hand was, well, amazing," Messi said to the crowd in Spanish, adding that he would "definitely be back."

Dressed in a pink jersey and black trousers, Messi charmed the audience by kicking footballs into the stands and posing for selfies with fans and delegates. He and his fellow visiting stars also played a short game with local children.

During the event, International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah presented Messi with a T20 World Cup ticket and an Indian cricket jersey. India, a nation of 1.4 billion, is a global cricket powerhouse but currently ranks 142nd in FIFA's world football rankings.

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia joined Messi on stage, where the Argentine signed jerseys for Bhutia and his family.

Messi, who was in India for his "GOAT Tour" with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, remained energetic throughout his 35-minute appearance, engaging with fans and football enthusiasts.

The tour also included stops in Hyderabad and Mumbai, where he met with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri.

The visit follows a successful season for Messi, who recently won his second consecutive Major League Soccer MVP award after leading Inter Miami to the league title.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is also set to lead Argentina's World Cup title defence in North America next summer.