Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav experienced a rare off-field highlight after featuring alongside global football legend Lionel Messi in a viral Adidas promotional video that has taken social media by storm. The crossover moment, blending two of the world’s most followed sports, instantly captured fan attention, especially after Messi was seen wearing an Indian cricket team jersey.
The video, now widely shared across platforms such as Instagram and X, shows Messi interacting with Kuldeep and other athletes during an Adidas photoshoot. While the shoot itself was part of a global brand campaign, it was the unexpected pairing of India’s premier wrist-spinner with football’s greatest icon that truly resonated with fans.
Lionel Messi in Team India Jersey, Gifted by Mr Jay Shah. Wow. pic.twitter.com/12ztIFQNoc— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 18, 2025
For Kuldeep, the moment carried personal significance. The left-arm spinner has often spoken about his love for football and has publicly admired Messi over the years. Seeing him share the same frame with the Argentine star turned the photoshoot into a memorable moment that went far beyond a routine brand collaboration.
Messi Wearing India’s Cricket Jersey Sparks Buzz
What elevated the clip from viral to iconic was Messi donning the Indian cricket team jersey. The jersey had been presented to him earlier by Jay Shah during an event in Delhi as part of Messi’s ongoing GOAT India Tour 2025. The sight of the World Cup–winning footballer wearing India’s cricket colours immediately struck a chord with fans across both sporting communities.
Messi’s India visit has already included interactions with fans and sporting figures in cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi, but this visual created a unique bridge between cricket and football, two sports that dominate Indian and global conversations respectively.
A Rare Cricket–Football Crossover
As the Adidas video circulated online, reactions poured in from all sides. Fans celebrated the unexpected crossover, calling it a “dream moment” and a symbol of how sport transcends boundaries. Screenshots and short clips from the shoot were widely reposted, with many highlighting the significance of seeing an Indian cricketer and a football great together in a single frame.
For Indian cricket fans, the moment was particularly special. Kuldeep, known for his calm presence on the field and consistency in international cricket, appeared visibly delighted during the interaction — a reminder that even elite athletes can be star-struck when meeting their idols.
Why the Moment Resonated
Beyond the visuals, the clip reflects a growing trend of global sports convergence, where athletes from different disciplines connect through shared platforms and brands. Adidas, which sponsors stars across sports, used the shoot to showcase that crossover appeal, but the organic fan reaction has arguably outshone the campaign itself.
With Messi’s India tour continuing to generate headlines and Kuldeep Yadav remaining a key figure in India’s cricket setup, this unexpected meeting has become one of the most talked-about off-field sporting moments of the year.
In a country where cricket reigns supreme and football fandom is rapidly growing, Kuldeep Yadav standing beside Lionel Messi, with the Indian jersey in focus, felt like a moment fans didn’t know they needed, but won’t forget anytime soon.
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