Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has arrived in Kolkata, further fuelling excitement around his much-anticipated meeting with global football icon Lionel Messi. The actor was spotted early Saturday morning at the city’s airport, accompanied by his youngest son, AbRam Khan, and his long-time manager Pooja Dadlani.
Several videos circulating on social media show Shah Rukh making a swift exit from the airport under tight security. In one of the clips, the actor can be seen holding AbRam’s hand as they walk together toward their vehicle, drawing instant attention from fans online.
Dressed casually in jeans and a dark jacket, Shah Rukh kept things low-key, while AbRam appeared comfortable in an all-black outfit. Their arrival comes just days after the actor hinted at sharing the stage with Lionel Messi during a special event in the city.
Earlier this week, Shah Rukh teased fans on social media about the upcoming appearance. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote that this time his Kolkata visit would be all about “Messi,” confirming that both icons would be present at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi also landed in Kolkata early Saturday morning as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025. Thousands of fans gathered at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend, who was seen surrounded by heavy security upon arrival.
This marks Messi’s second visit to India. He last visited Kolkata in 2011 for an international friendly match against Venezuela. As part of his current three-day tour, Messi will travel to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before departing the country.
With two global icons arriving in the city within hours of each other, Kolkata is buzzing with anticipation ahead of what promises to be a memorable event for fans of cinema and football alike.
