Messi’s India GOAT tour update: Argentine football legend and the winning captain of the last FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi confirmed the addition of Hyderabad to his India GOAT tour schedule on Friday.
The GOAT tour will now start on December 13 in Kolkata, followed by an evening visit to Hyderabad on the same day where Messi alongside his Inter-Miami team mates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul will feature in an exhibition match with the state CM’s R9 team composed of government school children who have demonstrated exceptional talent in football.
Following the event in Hyderabad, Messi will then travel to Mumbai on December 14 and conclude his visit in Delhi on December 15 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Each city event includes a 7v7 exhibition match, football clinics, musical concerts, and felicitation ceremonies. The Hyderabad addition came after a proposed friendly match in Kochi was cancelled.
What did Messi say?
Reminding all the interested attendees that the tour is now just a few weeks ahead, Messi thanked his fans for all the love that he has received from India.
“Thanks for all the love from India! The GOAT tour kicks off in a few weeks’ time!!! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. See you soon India!” Lionel Messi captioned one of his recent posts on Instagram.
Telangana Chief Minister reveals detail about Hyderabad event
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was quick to celebrate Messi’s announcement on X, where he also revealed a key detail about the upcoming exhibition match.
“I look forward to welcoming and hosting G.O.A.T. Lionel Messi in Hyderabad on December 13. It is an exciting moment for our city and for every football fan who has dreamt of seeing a legend like you on our soil. Hyderabad is ready to host him with warmth, pride and the spirit that defines our people,” Reddy posted on X.
The minister later confirmed that he, an ardent fan of the sport and a player in his younger days, will play alongside the school kids against Lionel Messi. Hyderabad is set to witness a match between ‘Revanth Reddy 9 vs Lionel Messi 10’ where Mr. Reddy will don the number 9 and Messi will sport his famous number 10 jersey.
The prospect of local children sharing the field with one of the greatest icons in world sport has triggered massive anticipation, with ticket requests beginning to surge.
The Indian behind Messi’s GOAT tour
The upcoming “GOAT Tour India 2025” featuring Messi is being organised by noted sports promoter Satadru Dutta through his outfit, A Satadru Dutta Initiative. Over the years, through this outfit, Dutta has organised visits from world-class football legends including Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Cafu to Kolkata which has been popularly dubbed by many sports enthusiasts as the Football capital of India.
In terms of corporate backing, major Indian firms such as HSBC India, JSW, Adani group, Dalmi Cement and Sanjiv Goenka group are on board as sponsors, supporting the tour’s events, concerts, exhibitions, and fan-experience activities across Indian cities.
