Fresh from leading Inter Miami to a historic MLS Cup, Messi is heading to India for a three-day 'GOAT Tour'. Accompanied by club-mates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will unveil a statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday.
It has been assembled over the course of 27 days by a 45-strong crew and stands at a mammoth 70ft.
The tour begins in Kolkata at 10:30am local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, before heading to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
The statue is just one part of India's homage to the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward.
Fans can visit 'Hola Messi' fan zone where there is a life-sized replica Messi sat on a throne, a hall adorned with some of his trophies and a recreation of his Miami home complete with mannequins of the player and his family sat on a balcony.
"He (Lionel Messi) would be surprised to see the arrangements made for him," Messi fan Shiladitya Banerjee said.
"He would be shocked to see how he is worshipped in Kolkata and across India. I am tearing up but these are happy tears."
Messi, who has scored 787 goals in 963 appearances at club level, was honoured by a bronze statue in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2016.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently said they are "working on" a statue at the Nou Camp.
ANK3430
286
He has done it all
mabcdemp
230
Some people praise themselves, and some are praised by others.
Rizdeiknz
173
Messi will wake up one day and realize there's a new country named Messi
sodcltyz
135
This is the REAL GOAT who is worshipped without his knowledge and not the one who cry for attention always .
ANK3430
103
GOAT things
Waoabiktu
65
When you are great, greatness would be following you. Just do what you know best and people will honor you
Ageerjok
60
The GOAT in India. Indians are very creative people 👏🏾
BaStiznShez
12
He has done it all
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he is the most blessed one
Davichi
10
Messi is undoubtedly the GOAT of football. However, no man is worthy of being worshipped. That's taking things too far.
ManUtdAmadDialo
8
They have all run away😂 they'll keep suffering until they repent their foolishness?? Coz it's only fools who can fail differentiate a real & fake G.O.A.T!! MESSI is the football MESSIAH, if you don't gerit forgerit🐐
fenalpsu
8
Some people praise themselves, and some are praised by others.
If no one praises you praise yourself cos it is not easy for you to get to that height