Lionel Messi Receives Grand Welcome in Hyderabad During GOAT India Tour 2025

News Desk,Asom Barta, December 14, 2025– Argentine football legend Lionel Messi continued his highly anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ with a memorable visit to Hyderabad on Saturday, where he was greeted with immense enthusiasm by fans and dignitaries alike.After kicking off the tour in Kolkata, Messi arrived in the Telangana capital and participated in an exhibition football event at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The highlight was a friendly 7v7 match and penalty shootout, where Messi shared the pitch with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The Chief Minister, donning the No. 9 jersey, scored several goals, delighting the crowd and adding a fun, light-hearted touch to the proceedings.Messi was joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, who also interacted with young players during a football clinic. The event included group photos, autographs, and a parade lap around the stadium, sending fans into raptures. Videos of Messi’s arrival and on-field moments quickly went viral on social media.Notably, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attended the event and met Messi. The football icon gifted signed Argentina jerseys to both Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi, who in return presented commemorative souvenirs.Enhanced security measures were implemented by Telangana Police, especially following some unrest during the Kolkata leg, ensuring the Hyderabad event proceeded smoothly.Messi’s three-day tour, marking his first India visit since 2011, will next take him to Mumbai on December 14 for padel and celebrity events, before concluding in New Delhi on December 15 with a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The GOAT Tour 2025 is expected to boost football’s popularity in India and inspire the younger generation. Fans across the country continue to celebrate Messi’s return, with widespread excitement for the remaining legs.