Archive · 7 Dec 2025
Project Mahadeva: 60 Young Footballers to Train with Messi
The Maharashtra government has started a special project called Project Mahadeva.
They chose 30 boys and 30 girls who are really good at football.
These kids will get a full scholarship for five years.
This means they will get coaching, school support, sports equipment, healthy food, and help with their minds.
The best part is that they will get to train with the famous football player Lionel Messi when he visits India.
The project wants to help these kids become better football players and maybe even play for India one day.
Some of the kids, like Himani, Aaradhya, and Ishaan, have inspiring stories about how they started playing football and what they hope to learn from Messi.
Project Mahadeva is a five-year scholarship program for 60 under-13 footballers (30 boys and 30 girls) from Maharashtra.
The scholarship covers professional coaching, academic support, equipment, nutrition, and mental conditioning.
Participants were selected from across Maharashtra, including remote districts, by trained scouts.
The athletes will have the opportunity to train with Lionel Messi during his visit to India for the GOAT Football Clinic.
Each selected athlete has a unique story of how they discovered their love for football and their aspirations in the sport.
- Who
- 30 boys and 30 girls from Maharashtra, aged under-13, selected for Project Mahadeva
- What
- A five-year scholarship program aimed at developing young football talent, including training with Lionel Messi
- When
- The project has been launched, with Messi's training session scheduled for later this month
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, with scouts covering the entire state, including remote districts
- Why
- To develop future football stars through structured long-term pathways and provide opportunities for young athletes
- Project Name
- Project Mahadeva
- Participants
- 30 boys and 30 girls
- Age Group
- Under-13
- Duration
- 5 years
- Benefits
- Full scholarship covering coaching, academics, equipment, nutrition, and mental conditioning
- Special Opportunity
- Training with Lionel Messi at the GOAT Football Clinic
- Locations Scouted
- Entire Maharashtra, including remote districts like Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur
