A moment for the sporting history books unfolded in Mumbai as football icon Lionel Messi met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The highly anticipated union took place on Sunday, December 14, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium as part of Messi’s “GOAT India Tour 2025.” The electric atmosphere saw the two athletes widely considered the Greatest of All Time in their respective sports share the stage for the first time.
The highlight of the event centered on their shared symbolism: the number 10. In a deeply meaningful gesture, Tendulkar presented Messi with his famous No. 10 India ODI jersey from the 2011 World Cup, which was won at that very ground. Messi reciprocated the warmth by gifting the Master Blaster a World Cup football. The Messi Meets Sachin Tendulkar exchange of memorabilia was met with thunderous applause.
Tendulkar, known as the “God of Cricket,” addressed the crowd and called the event a “golden moment for Mumbai and India.” The historic gathering also featured Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, who received a signed jersey from the Argentine superstar. The seamless execution of the Mumbai event created an unforgettable cross-sport spectacle for fans.
The image of Messi Meets Sachin Tendulkar together on the hallowed Wankhede turf has instantly become one of the most celebrated sporting photographs of the decade. This meeting ensures that two of the world’s most recognizable No. 10s have forever etched their union into the annals of Indian sporting folklore.
