In pictures | Lionel Messi meets Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Gandhi, plays football with CM Revanth Reddy on day 1 of GOAT tour

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Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 showcased a mix of star-studded moments and fan chaos. In Hyderabad, Messi met Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, joined Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez for a light football session, and presented a jersey and trophy to local dignitaries. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan also interacted with Messi during his Kolkata visit. However, the Kolkata leg faced disruptions as fans vandalised Salt Lake Stadium, citing poor crowd management, contrasting Hyderabad’s smooth proceedings. (Image: PTI)

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Actor Shah Rukh Khan meets Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi during his visit to Kolkata as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025. (Image: Sree Bhumi Sporting Club/ANI)

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Argentine footballer and 2022 FIFA World Cup–winning captain Lionel Messi greets fans during the GOAT India Tour 2025 event at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata. West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas is also seen. (Image: PTI)

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Argentine football great Lionel Messi waves to the crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium during his GOAT India Tour 2025 appearance in Kolkata. (Image: ANI)

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Angry fans vandalise the Salt Lake Stadium, alleging poor crowd management during Argentine footballer Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 event in Kolkata. (Image: ANI)

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Fans damage property at the Salt Lake Stadium amid chaos and allegations of poor organisation during Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 event in Kolkata. (Image: ANI)

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Rapid Action Force personnel and police stand guard on the field as angry fans vandalise the Salt Lake Stadium, alleging mismanagement during Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 event in Kolkata. (Image: ANI)

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Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy joins Argentine football icon Lionel Messi and Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez for a light football session during an event held as part of the second leg of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad. (Image: PTI)

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Argentine football icon Lionel Messi presents his iconic number 10 jersey to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during an event held as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. (Image: @IYC X/ANI)

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Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Argentine football great Lionel Messi present a trophy to a football team during an event held as part of the second leg of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with Inter Miami players Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, are also seen. (Image: PTI)

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Argentine football star Lionel Messi meets Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during an interaction held as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad. (Image: AICC/ANI)

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy are seen with Argentine football icon Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez during an event held as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad. (Image: AICC via PTI)