The culmination of Lionel Messi's whirlwind GOAT India Tour in New Delhi on Monday was marked by an electric fan frenzy, but it also produced an awkward viral moment involving a prominent Indian entrepreneur. As pictures and videos from the football legend's final stop flooded social media, one clip featuring former 'Shark Tank India' judge Ashneer Grover waiting eagerly to meet the star captured widespread attention for an unexpected reason.
The Viral Snub: Ashneer Grover's Folded Hands
A video circulating widely online shows Ashneer Grover standing in a hotel lobby amidst a crowd of fans, all anticipating the arrival of Lionel Messi and his entourage. When the Barcelona icon finally appeared, Grover was visibly elated, greeting him with a traditional Indian namaste, his hands folded respectfully. However, in a moment that quickly went viral, Messi walked past Grover and instead shook hands with a young man standing beside him. Grover himself later shared the clip on his social media handles, acknowledging the missed connection with the global football superstar.
Bollywood's Star-Studded Homage to Messi
The admiration for Lionel Messi knew no bounds during his India tour, drawing in the cream of Bollywood. A-list celebrities ensured they and their families got a moment with the sporting icon. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan brought his young son, AbRam, to meet Messi. A heartwarming scene of AbRam receiving an autograph from his idol melted hearts across the nation.
Similarly, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan took her sons, Taimur and Jeh, for a memorable meet-and-greet. Both boys were dressed in football jerseys, but Taimur's custom-made jersey, specially designed to showcase his love for Messi, became an instant talking point among fans and fashion observers alike.
The GOAT India Tour: A Four-City Spectacle
Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour marked his second visit to the country, and it was a packed schedule. The football legend covered four major cities in just three days, creating a wave of excitement in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and finally, the capital city of New Delhi. The tour successfully pitched the 'Messi fever' to an unprecedented high, demonstrating the massive following the Argentine star commands in India, transcending the world of sports and entering mainstream pop culture.
The event underscored how global sporting icons like Messi can unite diverse groups, from business personalities and television stars to Bollywood royalty and countless everyday fans, all sharing a moment of collective admiration.
