Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav received an autographed jersey from Argentina`s legendary footballer Lionel Messi during his visit to Delhi as a part of the “GOAT India Tour”.
The official handle of Adidas India, in collaboration with other athletes signed to it like Kuldeep, India`s two-time Paralympic javelin champion and World Para Athletic champion Sumit Antil, and two-time Paralympic medallist and World Championship gold medallist para high-jumper Nishad Singh, posted a picture of Kuldeep receiving a signed jersey from Messi.
The Indian spinner is a well-known football fan with a vocal preference for FC Barcelona. Messi has also represented FC Barcelona for several years before his stints with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and currently with Inter Miami.
During the footballer`s visit to India, he was accompanied by two other players, Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. Initially, the trio made their appearances in Kolkata and then went to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
In Delhi, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah presented India`s national cricket team`s jerseys to the football trio. Messi was presented with Team India`s jersey bearing the number 10 by Jay Shah, while Suarez received number 9, and de Paul was given number 7, each customised with their names.
The ICC chairman also invited Messi to attend the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 and also handed him a ticket.
On the other hand, Kuldeep is busy featuring in the ongoing T20I series between Team India and South Africa. Currently, the “Men in Blue” are leading the five-match T20I series by 2-1 and will aim to secure a win in Ahmedabad to seal the series.
The fifth and final clash of the series is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 19.
Later, the side will lock horns against New Zealand for the shortest format series. The five-match T20I series against the “Black Caps” would start from January 21 onwards. The series will also serve as a preparatory contest for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
(With ANI Inputs)