00:00Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri found himself in the spotlight amid Lionel Messi's
00:05visit to Mumbai.
00:06While fans cheered Messi's name in the stadium, Chhetri was seen wearing a red and blue striped
00:10jersey featuring Messi's picture.
00:12Many pointed out that a man who dedicated his entire youth to Indian football was being
00:16used as a mere advertising board.
00:19Internet users also argued that Indian football may never develop its own identity if the
00:23focus remains on spending crores to bring global stars like Messi, when that amount
00:28of money could instantly be invested in Indian football.
00:31It is important to note that the All India Football Federation did not play a direct role
00:35in Messi's 2025 GOAT tour, which was organised privately by Kolkata-based promoter Satad
00:40Rudatta.
00:41Regardless, fans felt it was unfair for Chhetri to wear a jersey featuring another player,
00:45arguing he deserves to be celebrated as an icon in his own right, especially on home soil.
