Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s sudden return to India has created a stir on social media, with fans now dreaming of a rare crossover moment between two global sports icons, as football legend Lionel Messi is already on his GOAT Tour India 2025.
Virat Kohli arrived in Mumbai on Saturday, December 13, almost 11 days before he is expected to play for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The Indian batting superstar’s arrival coincided with Lionel Messi visiting India, prompting rumors of their meeting.
This powerful right-handed batsman was seen at Mumbai airport with his wife Anushka Sharma. Keeping it casual, Kohli wore a black T-shirt, jeans, aviator sunglasses and a Dodgers cap, while Anushka wore an olive jacket with straight hair and dark sunglasses.
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The former Indian captain was seen smiling, posing for the paparazzi and waving to fans at the airport. Kohli left India immediately after the end of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Since his children, Vamika and Akay, are not with him, the visit is probably short. This led fans to connect the dots between Kohli’s return and Messi’s visit to India.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma seen at private airport in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/X0nxSJOVFr
– π§π§π€π£π£ (@wrognxvirat) 13 December 2025
Lionel Messi has already reached Kolkata on December 13 and is scheduled to visit Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, where he will attend a fan event at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Since Kohli is already in Mumbai, there is a high possibility of a meeting between the two sports icons.
Chaos in Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi’s Kolkata tour
However, the Argentina captain’s visit to Kolkata ended in chaos. His appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium lasted only 22 minutes. Messi was soon surrounded by politicians, VIPs and heavy security, and his attention became more geared towards selfies than the fan experience.
Because of this, fans could not see the football legend up close despite paying a lot for it. Many fans had paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 for tickets, while some reportedly spent up to Rs 20,000 through unofficial channels.
Later, angry fans broke safety protocols, broke chairs and threw water bottles and the show had to be cut short. This was Messi’s second visit to the city as part of a four-city tour of India that also includes Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
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Virat Kohli’s fairy tale journey with Anushka Sharma
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are one of India’s most favorite celebrity couples. Their love story reached the biggest moment of their lives on December 11, 2017, when they got married in a quiet and private ceremony in Italy.
The couple took the step towards becoming parents with the birth of their daughter Vamika in January 2021. In 2024, their family is complete with the arrival of their son Akay. Kohli has been in great form with the bat and has scored two centuries and two half-centuries in his last six ODIs.
He will be next seen in action for Delhi in the VHT tournament before returning to national colors for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January.
