Lionel Messi Kolkata
Lionel Messi has retired from international football, but his association with Kolkata could be far from over. Just 24 hours after the Argentine superstar announced his international retirement, a fresh possibility has emerged that Messi could return to Kolkata next year—and this time, he may actually play on the pitch.
The possibility was raised by Shatadru Dutta, the organiser associated with Messi’s previous visit to India. Dutta has expressed hope that Messi can be brought back to Kolkata next year, this time as an active club footballer.
Speaking about Messi’s retirement, Dutta said the death of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, had been a major emotional blow for the Argentine star. He also pointed to the demands of international football at the age of 39 and suggested that Messi could now focus more on enjoying club football.
Dutta then offered a major piece of good news for Messi fans in Kolkata, saying he hoped to bring the football icon back to the city next year. He indicated that Messi would come as a footballer rather than simply as a guest.
According to the report, Inter Miami could potentially travel to South Asia next year for pre-season preparations. Messi could be part of that tour.
Efforts led by Dutta are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Inter Miami to Kolkata and Bangladesh. Several rounds of discussions with Messi’s team have also reportedly taken place.
However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the tour, a Kolkata match or Messi’s participation. At this stage, the proposed visit remains subject to discussions and final arrangements.
Messi’s previous Kolkata visit became controversial after large crowds were unable to get the experience they had expected at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Dutta has previously spoken about wanting to bring Messi back and ensure that such problems are not repeated.
If Inter Miami’s potential pre-season tour does come to Kolkata, there could be a genuine opportunity for Messi to step onto the pitch and play. Unlike a promotional appearance, a pre-season tour would be connected to the club’s football preparations, making Messi’s participation more plausible.
For now, though, fans will have to wait for official confirmation. The proposed Inter Miami tour, a Kolkata match and Messi’s participation are all still in the planning stage.
But the prospect alone will be enough to excite Kolkata’s football lovers: Lionel Messi could be heading back to the city, and this time, he could return as a player.
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