Hyderabad, India: Football icon Lionel Messi is currently on a three-day tour of India, drawing immense attention from fans nationwide. While his arrival in Kolkata saw some controversy due to crowd management issues, the Hyderabad leg of his visit was praised for smooth organization and disciplined fan engagement.
On December 14, Messi reached Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where he was welcomed by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, and several prominent celebrities. Messi also participated in the launch of Maharashtra’s Project Mahadeva, a state-level initiative aimed at promoting football development.
The Viral Moment
Amid the celebrations, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, became the center of attention for an unexpected reason. In a video that quickly went viral, Amruta was seen taking multiple selfies with Messi while casually chewing gum. She posed alongside football stars Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, creating a buzz on social media.
Fan Reactions
The playful moment drew sharp criticism online. Fans questioned her presence and accused her of repeatedly interrupting Messi for selfies. Some viewers also alleged that Rodrigo De Paul was asked to move to allow Amruta to stand closer to Messi. Despite the criticism, Amruta shared the photograph on her Instagram, which further fueled discussion with sarcastic and humorous comments from netizens.
While opinions remain divided, the selfie has undoubtedly amplified engagement and interest around Messi’s India visit, keeping fans talking about the football superstar’s interactions with local personalities.
