Sabella, assistant coach Julian Camino, third goalkeeper Esteban Andrada and other support staff arrived at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport after a gruelling 33-hour journey.
The team was driven straight to their hotel from the airport.
Seventeen other players are scheduled to arrive Tuesday for the Salt Lake
stadium encounter.
Messi's Bereceloan FC teammate Javier Mascherano will arrive with him, according to an official of match promoter Celebrity Management Group (CMG).
This is the first FIFA official friendly in India.