Hyderabad: Legendary Argentina football icon and FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday, marking the second stop of his much-anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’. The football star was brought to the city under tight security arrangements following chaotic scenes earlier in the day during his first tour stop in Kolkata.
In Hyderabad, Messi’s schedule includes a high-profile 7v7 exhibition football match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to join Messi on the field during the event. The evening will also feature a grand musical programme celebrating Messi’s illustrious career and achievements in world football. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also reached Hyderabad.
Event organiser Anuttam Reddy said Messi is expected to arrive at the stadium between 7:00 and 7:30 pm, while musical performances will begin from 5:30 pm onwards. He added that Messi will remain on the ground for nearly an hour and, in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, will interact with children.
