Hyderabad

Global football icon and FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday, marking the second leg of his much-anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’.

Messi was escorted to the city under tight security arrangements following the disorder that broke out earlier in the day during his first stop in Kolkata. Authorities ensured heightened protection as the Argentine superstar landed in Hyderabad amid massive public interest.

According to the schedule, Messi’s Hyderabad programme features a marquee 7-a-side exhibition football match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to join the football great on the pitch during the event. The evening celebrations will culminate in a large-scale musical show honouring Messi’s extraordinary journey and achievements in world football. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has also arrived in Hyderabad for the event.

Earlier, event organiser Anuttam Reddy outlined the programme, stating that Messi was expected to reach the stadium between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm, while cultural and musical performances would begin around 5:30 pm. He said Messi would remain on the ground for nearly an hour and participate in multiple engagements, including interactions with children in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The excitement among fans was palpable, with supporters travelling from across the country to catch a glimpse of the footballing legend. One fan, Abhishek from Maharashtra, told ANI that witnessing Messi in person was a lifelong dream. He said even seeing the star for a few moments would be unforgettable and described Messi’s visit to India as a historic occasion.

Messi’s Hyderabad arrival comes against the backdrop of chaos that marred the Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour earlier on Saturday. Fans at the Salt Lake Stadium expressed anger after Messi reportedly exited the event much earlier than scheduled, depriving many in the crowd of the opportunity to see him. The situation escalated as sections of the crowd blamed VIPs and political leaders, including West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas, for occupying Messi’s time.

Several spectators who had paid substantial amounts for tickets reacted angrily, throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. Some members of the crowd entered the field and attempted to damage the tent and goalposts, prompting intervention by authorities.

Following the incident, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a clarification distancing itself from the Kolkata event. In an Instagram statement, the federation said the programme was a privately organised function handled by a PR agency and that AIFF had no role in the planning or execution. The federation added that no permissions or communication had been sought from it and appealed to fans to maintain calm and cooperate with authorities to ensure safety.

Earlier in October, Satadru Dutta, described as the principal organiser behind Messi’s India visit, had also clarified that the tour was a private initiative with no involvement from AIFF. He stated that the federation operates under its own policies and that his arrangements were made independently.

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose confirmed that the organiser of the Kolkata event had been arrested following the unrest. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said an FIR had been registered and assured that normalcy had been restored. He also noted that organisers had promised to refund ticket money to affected fans.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology after the incident, expressing shock over the mismanagement. She announced the formation of an enquiry committee headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with senior state officials as members, to investigate the matter, fix accountability and suggest measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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With Hyderabad now hosting the football legend under enhanced security, fans and organisers hope the second leg of Messi’s India tour proceeds smoothly and delivers a memorable experience for football lovers across the country.