Messi's ₹7,400 crore legacy: Star's legs take a pass on Indian field, know the whole story

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The uncrowned king of football, Lionel Messi, visited India in a grand manner. After Kolkata and Hyderabad, when the global star arrived in the capital, Delhi, the entire city was awash in Messi's colors. This historic three-day tour provided Indian sports fans with an unforgettable experience. However, amid the glitz and glamour of this visit, news has emerged that has surprised everyone. This news is not about Messi's athletic prowess, but about the value of his left foot, which is more than the combined GDP of many small countries. According to reports, the insurance on Messi's left foot exceeds the GDP of countries like Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau, and even Dominica, reflecting his global importance.

Messi's welcome at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium became a historic moment, where a unique confluence of cricket and football was witnessed. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah honored Messi by giving him a very special gift. Shah presented Messi with a bat signed by the Indian cricket team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup, which made Messi smile. Apart from this, he was also presented with an Indian cricket team jersey. The magician of football in one hand and the bat of the world-winning cricket team in the other, this scene has been recorded in golden letters in the pages of Indian sports history.

Messi's fame isn't limited to his game, but his financial security is also mind-boggling. According to a Moneycontrol report, Lionel Messi has one of the world's most expensive sports insurance policies. His magical left foot is insured for approximately $900 million. Converted to Indian currency, this amount is approximately ₹74 billion. This figure is so vast that it's difficult for the average person to even imagine. Messi's left foot is the weapon that has made him the best player in the world, which is why such a huge amount has been spent to protect it.

When Messi visited India, fans were most disappointed that they couldn't see their favorite player play on the field. People often wonder why Messi didn't play any friendly or exhibition matches. The answer lies in his hefty insurance policy. In fact, due to such a large insurance amount, Messi doesn't play in any unofficial or exhibition matches other than official matches. This carries a significant financial risk. If he gets injured during an exhibition match, insurance companies won't cover that game. This could jeopardize his career and result in the loss of millions of dollars in compensation. This is why superstars like Messi simply mark their presence on such tours, avoiding the risk of actually kicking the socks off.