“Jhingan Criticizes Messi’s India Tour: ‘Big Money Spent, Little Investment in Football’”

Sandesh Jhingan Criticizes Lack of Domestic Football Investment After Messi Tour

Lionel Messi’s India tour, which spanned four cities and drew millions of fans, showcased the country’s passion for football—but also highlighted the gap between India’s domestic game and the global stage. Indian national team defender Sandesh Jhingan used the occasion to call for greater focus on domestic football. Posting on Instagram, he praised the excitement Messi generated but expressed concern over the state of Indian football.

“It made me happy to see the country’s love for football and that people are willing to spend lakhs to watch the sport,” Jhingan wrote. “But at a time when our own football ecosystem is in jeopardy, we are on the brink of having no active domestic football. There’s no willingness to invest here, yet crores were spent on this tour. This shows we love the sport, but perhaps not enough to support our own players.”

Jhingan acknowledged criticism over India’s international performances, taking responsibility but emphasizing that success requires systemic support. “Football does not exist in isolation. Structure, stability, and belief profoundly influence what happens on the pitch,” he said.

He concluded with a plea for lasting change: “Millions experienced a once-in-a-lifetime moment with Messi. I hope this sparks a deeper conversation—not just about loving football, but about sustaining it at home.”