Lionel Messi in New Delhi – Fog and poor air quality delay Messi’s flight to the national capital for GOAT India Tour

Lionel Messi’s arrival for the final leg of his GOAT India Tour has been postponed due to fog and deteriorating air quality in New Delhi.

Messi, who was in Mumbai for the second day of his three-day trip to India, was scheduled to land in the national capital earlier this morning but his charter flight was held up due to poor weather conditions.

The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital has ranged from severe to hazardous over the past few days, further deteriorating due to light rainfall.

Messi is currently at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and is expected to leave soon for the latest round of engagements, including an appearance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for a ticketed event.

His delay has had a knock-on effect on the proceedings that follow, with the timing of the event being moved from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, as seen on the Neighborhood app use for ticket sales.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain hosted fans in Mumbai last night and posed alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and a bevy of Bollywood stars and politicians.

Before Mumbai, he also made similar appearances in Hyderabad and Kolkata, where he played keepie-uppie in the presence of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

It was a very different show from the opening match in Kolkata, which was marred by chaotic scenes at the Salt Lake Stadium as frustrated fans tore apart seats and stormed the pitch after failing to catch a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Published on December 15, 2025