Jay Shah gifts 2026 T20 World Cup ticket to Messi for India vs USA match

The highly anticipated Delhi leg of Lionel Messi's G.O.A.T India Tour witnessed a significant cross-sport moment when Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), presented the football legend with a ticket for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The special interaction took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, adding a distinctive layer to the global icon's visit to the country.

During the meeting, Jay Shah formally invited Messi to witness the marquee encounter between India and the United States, which is set to be India’s opening fixture in the T20 World Cup 2026. This high-profile match will take place on February 7 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The gesture highlighted the growing convergence of global sporting figures with India's sports leadership, marking it as a standout moment of Messi's final tour leg.

The interaction was characterized by warm exchanges and symbolic gifts. Shah presented Messi and his fellow guests with official Indian cricket team jerseys, symbolizing a bridge between cricket and football—two of the world's most influential sports. Additionally, Messi was also gifted a specially autographed cricket bat, blending India’s rich cricketing heritage with the enduring legacy of one of football’s greatest-ever players.