Bollywood singer Rahul Vaidya recently took to social media to share an observation that quickly struck a chord with many Indians. Drawing inspiration from football legend Lionel Messi’s recent visit to India, Rahul praised the global icon for staying firmly rooted in his language and culture, despite his immense international fame. His post sparked a broader conversation about cultural pride, language identity, and the unnecessary pressure many Indians feel to prioritise English over their mother tongues.
Sharing his thoughts online, Rahul wrote, “One thing we Indians must learn from Messi: Own your language. Own your culture. English is a skill — not a master. Learn it well, but don’t be enslaved by it. Looking down on your own language is the real insecurity. Global icon. Zero language insecurity.” The message resonated with fans, who applauded Messi’s confidence and Rahul’s candid perspective on cultural self-respect.
What stood out during Lionel Messi’s India tour was his conscious decision to communicate exclusively in Spanish, his mother tongue. Despite being one of the most recognisable and influential sports personalities in the world, Messi chose not to speak in English or any other language. Instead, he relied on his official translator to communicate throughout the tour. For many, this quiet yet powerful gesture reinforced the idea that embracing one’s roots is a strength, not a limitation.
Messi visited India a few days ago as part of a multi-city tour that included Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. His presence generated massive excitement among fans, football enthusiasts, and celebrities alike. Crowds gathered wherever he went, hoping for a glimpse of the football icon whose career has inspired millions across the globe.
On Wednesday, Messi took to his social media to share a special farewell video capturing highlights from his India visit. Along with the video, he posted a warm goodbye message thanking Indian fans for their love and hospitality. The montage featured touching moments of Messi interacting with children at stadiums, sharing smiles, and acknowledging the overwhelming admiration he received during his tour.
One of the most talked-about moments in the video was Messi’s meeting with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The interaction between two of the greatest sporting icons from different disciplines delighted fans, symbolising mutual respect and admiration across sports. The clip quickly went viral, with netizens celebrating the rare meeting of legends.
Interestingly, among all his interactions with Bollywood personalities, Messi chose to include only one celebrity moment in the farewell video — his meeting with actress Kareena Kapoor Khan and her sons. The brief glimpse showed a warm and personal interaction, which instantly caught the attention of fans and media alike.
Messi captioned the video with a heartfelt message: “Namaste, India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality, and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India (sic).” His words reflected gratitude and optimism, leaving fans hopeful about the growth of football in the country.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, clearly thrilled to be featured in Messi’s farewell post, responded with an emotional shout-out to her elder son, Taimur Ali Khan, who is known to be a big fan of the football star. Reposting Messi’s video on her own social media account, Kareena wrote, “Ok Tim, then this happened for you (sic).” Her post quickly garnered attention, with fans loving the sweet gesture and the mother-son moment tied to Messi’s visit.
During his stay in India, Messi also met several other Bollywood celebrities, including Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Shilpa Shetty, and Geeta Basra, among others. While these interactions were widely shared online through pictures and videos, Messi’s decision to highlight only a select few moments in his farewell video added to its emotional appeal.
Rahul Vaidya’s commentary on Messi’s linguistic confidence added another meaningful layer to the entire visit. At a time when many individuals feel pressured to abandon their native languages in favour of English, Messi’s unapologetic pride in speaking Spanish served as a subtle yet powerful reminder that global success does not require cultural compromise.
Together, Messi’s actions and Rahul Vaidya’s words have sparked a conversation that extends beyond sports and celebrity culture. It is a reminder that authenticity, cultural pride, and self-assurance remain universal values — qualities that resonate deeply, regardless of language or geography.
