Messi visits Vanatara wildlife, sends ‘heartfelt’ message to India!
Argentine legend Lionel Messi visited the Vantara wildlife and rescue centre in Jamnagar on Monday before wrapping up his GOAT India Tour. Reliance Industries’ Executive Director and Vantara’s founder, Anant Ambani, hosted Messi and his Inter Miami teammates at the extensive centre. The football legends stayed at the Jamnagar facility overnight, according to an ANI report. Argentine legend, in his official farewell to his Indian fans, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love, respect, and admiration he received from fans across India. He thanked Indian supporters for their passion and warmth, and shared his hope to return to the country again in the future! After spending three unforgettable days across four cities, which marked Delhi as the final stop of the GOAT’s visit, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed football icons Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday afternoon. Along with CM Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley were also present at the event. The interaction between Lionel Messi and Shah was a warm exchange of gestures, with the ICC Chairman presenting Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul with Indian cricket team jerseys, symbolising the convergence of two of India’s most beloved sports. Messi also received a special autographed cricket bat from Shah, making the moment a unique fusion of football and cricketing heritage. Messi was also seen kicking the ball towards the stands along with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. They were also entertained by the Minerva Football Academy boys, who were felicitated for winning the Dana and Gothia Cups recently.
North 24 Parganas start their campaign in style; Sundarban Bengal Auto FC win too
North 24 Parganas started their campaign IN THE inaugural Bengal Super League (BSL), trouncing Copa Tigers Birbhum 4-0 at Naihati Stadium on Monday. Tanmoy Ghosh, Mrimoy Mahapatra, and Kuntal Pakhihara. Coach of North 24 Parganas Gautam Ghosh said in his post-match media briefings, “The boys did not get much time for preparation. Additionally, several players who played today were newcomers. So, considering the perspective, I am satisfied with their performance.” When asked whether BSL would contribute to the development of football in Bengal, Ghosh, the head of IFA’s youth development program, added, “Time will reply to the question ultimately. But I can say, the players are getting more game-time with the introduction of this League, which is expected to help them.” In another match, Sundarban Bengal Auto FC earned full points in their opening match of the League, edging past Burdwan Blasters by 2-1 at Bolpur Stadium on Monday. Richmond and Aqueeb struck for the winners. Sundarban Bengal Auto FC Chief coach Mehtab Hussain lamented the poor ground conditions at the venue. “The ground was hard, had an uneven bounce. It was difficult for the boys to exhibit ‘good football’. Still, I am happy with three points,” said Mehtab. Significantly, BSL has introduced six-referee posting for a match where two referees are posted beside the two goalposts. Their job will be to detect ‘penalty-area’ movements and any dispute in the penalty area.
Flight delayed; Messi’s meeting with PM Narendra Modi cancelled
The much-awaited meeting between Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Prime Minister Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be meeting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New Delhi stop as part of the GOAT India Tour on Monday. Messi, who is in India on a three-day tour, had a chaotic experience at the Salt Lake Stadium during his first stop in Kolkata, but it has been smooth sailing since, in Hyderabad and Mumbai, respectively. Argentine captain’s arrival in New Delhi has been delayed after his flight was deferred due to inclement weather. In the national capital, Messi was scheduled to meet Modi and a 21-minute protocol was prepared for the same, one that was cancelled late on the day before the meeting. Modi will be travelling to Oman, Ethiopia and Jordan on a four-day visit, discussing bilateral ties between India and the three nations. “Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilization ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the Prime Minister said in a statement before leaving India. Meanwhile, Messi is likely to meet cricketer Virat Kohli, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan and the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, among others, during his New Delhi visit. His trip will conclude with a felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he will conduct a coaching clinic, followed by a meet-and-greet with young players from Minerva Academy, who won three European youth trophies earlier this year.
Suarez astounded by 13-year-old Tanishka’s nutmegging skill in Wankhede!
Despite the fact that Wankhede Stadium on Sunday was mesmerized by Lionel Messi’s presence during the GOAT tour after Kolkata, one moment stole the show. Messi indulged in passes with the girls on the pitch, and the moment unfolded when a 13-year-old Tanishka Kawade found herself with the ball at her feet. She then instinctively and fearlessly nutmegged Luis Suarez! The Uruguay World Cupper, who, along with Rodrigo D’Paul, also accompanied Lionel Messi in the tour, was seen astounded by Tanishka’s skill. His expression frozen in disbelief, before a smile slowly followed. It was a brief exchange, but one that instantly became unforgettable. For Tanishka, the moment was surreal. Later, while speaking to The Indian Express, Tanishka said, “He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with a surprised expression. It was a great feeling because my dream was to meet Ronaldo, but I met Messi – that was also a big dream.” However, Wankhade Stadium was packed to capacity, buzzing with noise and anticipation, as thousands of ardent fans gathered to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. Every seat in every stand was filled, every phone held high, as the global icon made his way around the ground. For 60 kids inside the venue, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the pitch with one of the all-time greats in football history and pass the ball around with him.
I-League also without a ‘commercial bidder’ like ISL!
I-League also failed to generate interest among potential investors, as the All India Football Federation‘s second-tier competition didn’t receive any bids for commercial rights in its tender, according to a report from News9 Sports. AIFF floated the ‘Request for Proposal (RFP)’ on 8th November, and the deadline for submission was 13th December. But at the time of the opening of bids on Sunday, none had landed in the federation’s lap. An indication that the tender was failing to attract any proposals became apparent when no entity attended AIFF’s pre-bid meeting on 5th December to seek clarifications. But the Federation, in its tender, set prices Rs 6 crore (I-League: Rs 4 CR + I-League 2: Rs 1.25 CR + I-League 3: Rs 75 Lakh), and also the terms and conditions, similar to those set for the Indian Women’s League (IWL). Still, the failed tender reflects that the possible bidders who have shown interest in India’s club football fraternity seemed not willing to get further clarifications. Now, AIFF officials would have to scratch their heads on how to resume the league after floating a tender till the end of its 2029-30 season, even as they have been assuring the clubs about the resumption of the I-League, also like the ISL. Companies or three-member consortia with a minimum turnover of Rs 30 crore at the end of the 2024-25 financial year were eligible to place bids. AIFF is yet to issue any statement on the matter and has very little time to come up with a plan, with half of the season already over without a match being held. I-League club officials had earlier met the Union Sports Minister to raise concerns over its organisation. The budget for its elite I-League was already reduced by Rs 4.02 crore to Rs 10.18 crore from Rs 14.20 crore in the last financial year. A separate tender for IWL and IWL 2 at Rs 3 crore attracted one bid (Capri Sports).
