Mumbai, December 14, 2025 — Lionel Messi’s visit to Wankhede Stadium during his GOAT India Tour 2025 created a rare football atmosphere at one of India’s most iconic cricket venues. Among the many memorable moments, fans were heard chanting “Barça… Barça,” echoing the famous football slogan “Visca Barça.”
The chant stood out, highlighting Messi’s deep association with FC Barcelona and drawing widespread interest around its meaning.
Lionel Messi’s Visit to Wankhede Stadium
Lionel Messi spent nearly an hour at Wankhede Stadium as part of his four-city India tour. The Mumbai event followed his appearances in Kolkata and Hyderabad and drew large crowds of fans, sportspersons, and dignitaries.
Messi was accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul. The stadium, best known for India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph, briefly transformed into a football celebration.
Why ‘Visca Barça’ Was Heard at Wankhede
During the event, the crowd repeatedly chanted “Visca Barça… Visca Barça,” creating an atmosphere similar to FC Barcelona’s home stadium, Camp Nou.
The chant is closely linked with Lionel Messi’s legendary Barcelona career and is rarely heard at Indian sporting venues, making the moment particularly significant for football fans.
Meaning of ‘Visca Barça’
“Visca Barça” is a Catalan phrase that means:
- “Long live Barça”
- “Hail FC Barcelona”
It is one of the most recognisable chants in world football and is strongly associated with Messi’s time at FC Barcelona, where he built much of his global legacy.
Messi and Sachin Tendulkar Share the Spotlight
One of the key highlights of the evening was the interaction between Lionel Messi and Sachin Tendulkar.
For a brief period, the familiar “Sachin… Sachin” chants at Wankhede were replaced by loud “Messi… Messi” cheers. When Tendulkar later joined Messi on stage, the crowd responded by celebrating both sporting legends.
The exchange of jerseys between the two added emotional weight to the moment.
Project Maha-Deva Launched in Mumbai
The event also marked the launch of Project Maha-Deva, an initiative aimed at identifying and developing young football talent across Maharashtra. Messi, Suárez, and de Paul interacted with young players associated with the programme, reinforcing the tour’s focus on grassroots football.
Other Highlights from the Event
- Messi presented his Argentina jersey to Sunil Chhetri and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Fans celebrated Sunil Chhetri, who recently retired from international football
- A 7-a-side exhibition match featured Indian footballers and women’s football star Bala Devi
- Messi and his teammates took a lap of honour and engaged with fans across the stadium
Why This Moment Matters
Hearing “Visca Barça” at Wankhede symbolised:
- Lionel Messi’s lasting connection with FC Barcelona
- The global reach of football culture in India
- The growing enthusiasm for international football icons among Indian fans
At a venue historically linked with Indian cricket, the chant reflected how football moments are increasingly finding space in the country’s sporting landscape.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s appearance at Wankhede Stadium was marked by strong fan turnout, historic interactions, and a rare football chant usually reserved for European stadiums. The echo of “Visca Barça” served as a reminder of the era Messi defined at FC Barcelona and the global admiration he continues to command.
For Indian fans, the Mumbai event was not just a stop on a tour — it was a moment when football history briefly took centre stage at one of India’s most celebrated sporting venues.
