Virat Kohli’s surprise visit to India with Anushka Sharma sparks crossover talks with Lionel Messi
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s sudden return to India has created a buzz on social media, with fans now dreaming of a rare crossover moment between two global sporting icons, while football legend Lionel Messi is already on his GOAT Tour India 2025.
Virat Kohli landed in Mumbai on Saturday, December 13, almost 11 days before he leaves for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The Indian batting superstar’s arrival came at a time when Lionel Messi was touring India, which immediately sparked rumors of them meeting.
The dashing right-handed batter was spotted at the 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 opted for an olive jacket with straight hair and dark sunglasses.
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The former Indian captain was seen all smiles, posing for the paparazzi and greeting fans at the airport. Kohli had left India soon after the end of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Since their children, Vamika and Akaay, don’t appear to be with them, the trip will likely be short-lived. This led fans to quickly make the connection between Kohli’s return and Messi’s visit to India.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma pictured at Mumbai Private Airport🥹🫶🏻 pIc.twItter.com/X0nxSJ.OhVFr
— 𝙒𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙣🥂 (@wrognxvirat) December 13, 2025
Lionel Messi has already arrived in Kolkata on December 13 and is expected to travel to Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, where he will attend a fan event at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. With Kohli already in Mumbai, there are high chances of a meeting between the two sporting icons.
Chaos at Salt Lake Stadium as Lionel Messi heads to Kolkata
However, the Argentine captain’s trip to Kolkata ended in chaos. His appearance at Salt Lake Stadium lasted just 22 minutes. Messi was quickly surrounded by politicians, VIPs and heavy security, with the focus more on selfies than the fan experience.
Due to this, fans were unable to get a closer look at the football legend even though they paid a lot for the same. Many fans had paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 for their tickets, while some reportedly spent up to Rs 20,000 through unofficial channels.
Later, angry fans broke safety protocol, breaking chairs and throwing water bottles, and the event 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 fairytale journey with Anushka Sharma
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are one of the most loved celebrity couples in India. Their love story reached the big moment of their lives on December 11, 2017, when they got married in a quiet and private ceremony in Italy.
The couple became parents in January 2021 with the birth of their daughter, Vamika. In 2024, their family is completed with the arrival of their son, Akaay. Kohli has been in sublime form with the bat, scoring two centuries and two fifties in his last six ODI outings.
He will next be 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.
