Lionel Messi GOAT Tour of India Highlights: Lionel Messi receives Sachin Tendulkar's India jersey, gives Sunil Chhetri Argentina one in Mumbai

Lionel Messi met leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

The chaos in Kolkata sent some apprehensions about Messi's India tour, but as he arrived in Hyderabad for the second leg of India tour, it's been all joy and non-chaotic so far.

Lionel Messi took part in exhibition match with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and hit a goal.

The footballing GOAT is currently watching the exhibition match, he is expected to take the field for penalty shootout.

Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday for the second leg of his GOAT India Tour 2025.

He was escorted under tight security following the disruption during his first stop in Kolkata earlier in the day.

Messi’s schedule in Hyderabad includes a 7v7 exhibition football match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to join him on the field. The programme will end with a music event marking Messi’s career and achievements in football. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also reached Hyderabad.

What began as celebrations during Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour quickly spiralled into chaos when the football icon was forced to leave the venue much earlier than planned due to crowd management and security issues.

The Hyderabad programme is set to begin with an exhibition match at 7.50 pm. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to enter the field next, followed by Messi and his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez.

"This was a private event organised by a PR agency. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning, or execution of this event in any capacity," the AIFF said in a statement.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy welcomed Argentine footballer Lionel Messi at Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad.

Lionel Messi arrived at Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, Telangana, along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.

Celebrated Argentine footballer Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad for second leg of GOAT India Tour.

The World Cup-winning captain reached the stadium around 11.30 am along with long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

His vehicle was parked close to the touchline. When he stepped onto the ground, he was surrounded by VIPs, organisers, celebrities and security staff, leaving fans in the stands struggling to see him.

Sports authority of Telangana CM chairman Shiva Sena Reddy assured fans that Lionel Messi’s Hyderabad appearance will be conducted smoothly, following the chaos reported during the Kolkata leg of the India tour. He said, "Today there will be a small 20-minute friendly game between Messi and CM's XIs. It will be followed by Messi holding a football clinic for young players. I would like to assure that what happened in Kolkata earlier in the day will not happen here in Hyderabad, we have enough police force deployed to manage things and a small request to the fans that they should also be calm."

"The milestones, the magic, the mastery. And then you meet him and realise the humility is the real headline. An absolute privilege," Goenka shared in a post on social media platform X.

During a press briefing, Kolkata DGP Rajeev Kumar said that organisers will refund tickets to disappointed spectators. “We have already detained the main organiser. We are taking action to ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished,” he said.

With Kolkata behind him, attention now shifts to the remaining stops on Messi’s tightly packed itinerary. The next destination is Hyderabad, where Messi is scheduled to feature in an exhibition match at Uppal Stadium.

Many ticket-holders, including those who paid premium prices, complained that they failed to see Messi at all — either in person or on the stadium’s big screens — despite waiting for hours.

Lionel Messi’s Hyderabad leg of the G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, December 13. The Argentine superstar is expected to arrive at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm along with his team.

Following his arrival, Messi will head to Falaknuma Palace for a private meet-and-greet session scheduled at 5:00 pm.

This interaction will be restricted and accessible only to ticketed guests. Later in the evening, Messi will proceed to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal for the main event as part of his India tour.

Many spectators who paid hefty amounts to catch a glimpse of Messi began throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. The angry crowd also entered the ground, attempting to vandalise tents and the goalpost.

After a chaotic and controversial Kolkata leg, Lionel Messi is expected to reach Hyderabad by 4 pm on Saturday to continue his GOAT Tour in India.

The Argentine superstar is slated to follow a similar itinerary, beginning with his arrival in the city, followed by a closed-door meet-and-greet before heading to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is scheduled to welcome Messi at the venue. Messi will also take part in a planned penalty shootout.

However, after the scenes witnessed in Kolkata earlier in the day, questions remain over whether the schedule will undergo last-minute changes.

Kolkata’s deep reverence for football was on full display on Saturday, but what should have been a moment of celebration quickly gave way to frustration and chaos as Lionel Messi’s much-awaited appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium ended in disappointment rather than delight.

The city’s long-anticipated encounter with the Argentine legend unravelled soon after it began. Messi, in India as part of his GOAT Tour, was forced to cut short his lap of honour at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan after the crowd became unmanageable. As tempers rose, bottles were hurled and security officials swiftly escorted the football icon off the field within minutes.

Several spectators, including those who had purchased high-priced tickets, said they never got a clear view of Messi — neither in person nor on the giant screens — despite waiting for hours. Tight security arrangements and the presence of politicians and dignitaries in prime areas further blocked sightlines, adding to the growing resentment in the stands.

The situation soon spiralled. Banners were torn down, seats were damaged and chairs were flung onto the field, highlighting glaring lapses in crowd management at one of India’s biggest sporting arenas. Outside the stadium, angry fans told reporters that Messi had barely been visible before being hurried away.

Online, the anger only intensified. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism of the organisers, with many calling the event poorly planned.

“We paid thousands just to watch politicians take selfies while Messi disappeared in minutes,” one fan wrote on X.

“This is not crowd trouble—this is organiser failure,” posted another.

Others said the chaos was depressingly familiar.

“Every big sporting event follows the same script. When will we finally learn?” read a widely shared post.

Earlier in the day, Messi had virtually unveiled a 70-foot iron statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, depicting him holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. Built in just 40 days, the tribute drew admiration across the city.

However, the disorder at Salt Lake Stadium overshadowed what was meant to be a historic and unifying occasion for Indian football fans, once again exposing the disconnect between immense passion in the stands and the lack of professionalism behind the scenes.

What began as a moment of celebration during Lionel Messi's Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour turned into chaos on Saturday as fans expressed their disappointment when the Argentine legend left the Salt Lake Stadium much earlier than planned, leaving the crowd furious.


Many spectators who paid hefty amounts to catch a glimpse of Messi began throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. The angry crowd also entered the ground, attempting to vandalise tents and the goalpost.

An angry fan told ANI, "Seeing the utter chaos, the management, the authorities, it was absolutely rubbish. All the people you see here love football. We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money back... The management was so bad. It is a black day for Kolkata. Kolkata is known for football, and we love football, we love Argentina, but this experience is absolutely a scam. The ministers were there with their children, and the other people could not see anything... We are very hurt."

Another fan said, "Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything."

A fan of Messi added, "It is very disappointing that after paying such a hefty amount. They had 50 people around him, and we could not even get a glimpse of him for once... He just waved a couple of times, and that's it."

Another fan told ANI, "We have given so much money for this event and the most important thing is that Messi has come for this event and what message we have given to him... The sports minister is clicking a picture with Messi, and everyone is trying to manage the people... I don't know about Shah Rukh Khan, whether he came or not... It is very shameful for the event management and the government as well."

"It was really disappointing, we came all the way from Darjeeling for this... We couldn't even see him properly, and that was the most disappointing thing I have ever witnessed," a fan said.

A fan of Messi said, "We are very disappointed... My child was very excited to see Messi... I think it's a scam for the people. When Messi arrived, everyone surrounded him."

"Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi...Why did they call us then... We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face," an angry fan told ANI.

"The minimum price of the ticket was 5 thousand, and why were the VVIPs around Messi? We couldn't even see him... Why weren't the police taking action? I don't know anything. Everyone was furious... We want the refund," another fan added.

Earlier, Messi virtually inaugurated a 70-foot-tall statue of himself at Lake Town in Kolkata on Saturday, along with West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose.

The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club has completed the construction of a massive 70-foot iron statue at Lake Town in South Dum Dum, Kolkata, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. The statue will be virtually unveiled by Messi himself, adding to the excitement for his fans.

Lionel Messi has concluded the Kolkata leg of his much-anticipated GOAT Tour India 2025 and is set to fly to Hyderabad next.

The Argentine superstar’s visit to the City of Joy drew massive crowds, with fans flocking to see the football legend in person.

After a series of events, including the unveiling of his 70-foot statue, Messi now moves on to Hyderabad, where more matches, fan interactions, and celebrations await.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a formal apology to football superstar Lionel Messi after chaotic scenes unfolded at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where fans resorted to vandalism, booed, and threw bottles following mismanagement during the event. Tents and hoardings were destroyed as overcrowding and security lapses forced Messi to cut short his appearance.



“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi,” Banerjee said in a statement.

The Chief Minister extended her sincere apologies to Messi, the football legend, as well as to all sports lovers and fans who were unable to witness the event properly.

She expressed regret over the chaotic turn of events, acknowledging the frustration and disappointment of fans who had gathered in large numbers to welcome the Argentine superstar.

To address the situation and ensure accountability, Banerjee announced the constitution of an enquiry committee.

“I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future,” she stated.

Kolkata’s much-anticipated encounter with football legend Messi descended into chaos on Saturday, as celebrations at Salt Lake Stadium gave way to unrest and disappointment among thousands of fans.

Messi, visiting India as part of his GOAT Tour, made only a fleeting appearance at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

The excitement quickly turned to frustration when the Argentine superstar had to cut short his lap of honour due to an uncontrollable crowd surge. Bottles were thrown, forcing security to expedite his exit.

Fans, including those who had paid premium ticket prices, expressed anger at never being able to see Messi—neither up close nor on the stadium’s giant screens, despite waiting for hours. The dense security cordon and the presence of politicians and dignitaries further restricted visibility, leaving spectators disappointed and irate.

Football superstar Lionel Messi is set to visit Hyderabad today as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025, featuring a 7v7 exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, followed by a musical celebration of his career achievements.

Posters featuring Chief Minister Revanth Reddy alongside the Argentine star have been displayed outside the stadium in Uppal, drawing football enthusiasts and fans.

The evening's program includes a musical extravaganza starting at 5:30 PM, with Messi expected to arrive between 7:00-7:30 PM.

Event organizer Anuttam Reddy said: "Lionel Messi is expected to come at the stadium by 7:00-7:30 pm. Musical programs will start at 5.30 pm onwards. There is plenty of entertainment for everyone... Messi will be here with us on the ground for about 1 hour... There will be a lot of events... As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, he will engage with children."

The Salt Lake Stadium descended into chaos as frustrated fans rioted and vandalised sections of the ground, once celebrated as the home of Indian football. Police and security personnel rushed to regain control amid the mayhem, as live footage showed the scene spiralling out of hand.

Angry supporters booed officials and politicians, even hurling bottles, forcing Lionel Messi to cut short his stadium lap.

The Argentine superstar, who had been at the venue for just five minutes, waved briefly at the crowd before exiting amid the chaos. The incident has left fans and authorities reeling.

A fan of football superstar Lionel Messi expressed frustration, saying, "Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi... Why did they call us then... We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face..."

The disappointment among supporters quickly turned chaotic, with angry fans throwing bottles and chairs from the stands at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. Amid the unrest and overcrowding, the Argentine football legend was forced to cut short his stadium lap and left the venue, leaving fans shocked and disappointed.

Tensions erupted at Salt Lake as frustrations boiled over. The images keep getting more alarming, and there’s no doubt this will trigger a major investigation. Frankly, there’s little positive to take from this incident—nobody comes out of it looking good.

Kolkata witnessed an unprecedented mix of chaos and celebration as football superstar Lionel Messi made his much-anticipated appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.


The Argentine legend, visiting India as part of his GOAT Tour India 2025, was forced to cut short his lap of honour after an overwhelming crowd led to bottles being thrown by frustrated fans. Unable to catch a glimpse of the superstar, some spectators resorted to vandalising banners and seats, while others booed officials and politicians, highlighting serious security challenges amid the frenzy.

Despite the tumult at the stadium, Messi’s day also featured moments of admiration and excitement. Earlier, he virtually unveiled a towering 70-foot statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum.

The iron statue, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was constructed in just 40 days as a tribute to his incredible achievements on the field. West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose confirmed, “We have talked to his manager, and today we will talk to Messi... He gave his consent for the statue and they are also happy...” Bose added that Messi and his team were delighted with the installation.

The arrival of Messi in Kolkata early on Saturday morning drew massive crowds across key city locations, with fans eager to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the football icon. The excitement reflected Messi’s immense popularity in India, particularly in West Bengal, and underscored the global appeal of the World Cup-winning captain.

Lionel Messi was forced to leave Salt Lake Stadium early after fans began throwing bottles, cutting short his planned lap around the ground.

The crowd’s frustration spilled over as they booed officials and politicians present at the event. Security personnel quickly intervened to ensure Messi’s safety, but the incident highlighted the challenges of managing such massive gatherings.

Despite the excitement and admiration from thousands of supporters, the chaotic moments reminded organizers of the importance of strict crowd control during high-profile events featuring global icons like Messi.

The City of Joy rolled out a thunderous welcome for the G.O.A.T. as Lionel Messi walked into a packed Salt Lake Stadium, triggering scenes of pure euphoria.

The noise levels shot through the roof, with deafening cheers echoing across the iconic venue the moment the Argentine legend appeared.

Fans rose to their feet, waving flags and chanting his name in unison, creating an electric atmosphere that underlined Messi’s unmatched global appeal and the deep footballing passion that defines the city.

Star footballer Lionel Messi arrived at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata amid massive excitement from fans who had been waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend.

The World Cup-winning captain was greeted by roaring cheers as he made his way into the stadium, with chants and waving flags filling the air.

As part of the celebrations, a friendly exhibition match will be played at the venue, followed by a special felicitation ceremony in Messi’s honour.

The event marks a highlight of his GOAT India Tour, drawing football lovers from across the city.

The anticipation around Lionel Messi’s arrival at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata is steadily building, even if the atmosphere feels deceptively calm for now. As the All Stars match gets underway, there is only a soft hum of excitement in the stands, with fans knowing that the real moment is yet to come.

This, however, is merely the prelude. The expectation is clear: the instant Messi appears in one of the stadium boxes, the mood will transform dramatically.

The current quiet buzz will give way to a deafening roar, as tens of thousands rise in unison. When Messi finally shows himself, the famous stadium is set to erupt into a wall of sound that will leave no doubt about his enduring magic.

Thousands of fans gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for a rare glimpse of football legend Lionel Messi, creating an atmosphere of sheer excitement. The crowd was so overwhelming that Messi had to be escorted through an alternate route to ensure safety.

Amid the frenzy, the Argentine superstar shared a special moment with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam, delighting fans who captured the encounter on camera.

During his Kolkata visit, Messi is also scheduled to meet former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as he attends multiple interactions and events.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to attend football legend Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour’ event at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on December 13.

LoP Rahul Gandhi will witness a friendly match between teams led by Messi and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The Chief Minister, during his visit to Delhi on Thursday, had invited Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to attend the event.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements are being made for the hour-long event on Saturday night, with thousands of fans eagerly waiting to see Messi in action on the field. Authorities have put elaborate arrangements in place for the smooth conduct of the event, which is expected to host around 39,000 spectators.

Police have announced several measures for crowd management. Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu confirmed that only ticket holders will be allowed entry into the stadium. A total of 2,500 police personnel will be deployed as part of the security arrangements. Traffic curbs have also been imposed on roads surrounding the stadium, located in the busy Uppal area.

Messi is scheduled to arrive at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 p.m., after which he will drive to the Taj Falaknuma Hotel to attend a programme before heading to the stadium. Following the match, he will return to the hotel for the night.

CM Revanth Reddy, who will lead RR9 against Messi10, has been practising with football players at various grounds in the city over the past few days. The match is part of Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour 2025’, with the Chief Minister wearing jersey number 9 and Messi donning his iconic number 10.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said thousands of football fans are expected and urged them to arrive early and settle into their seats to ensure security and convenience. Special routes have been designated for the arrival and departure of Messi, LoP Rahul Gandhi, CM Revanth Reddy, ministers, and other VIPs.

Vikramarka noted that the match is being organised as part of the "Telangana Rising" celebrations and added, "Messi showed personal interest in being part of the celebrations." IT Minister Sridhar Babu said Messi’s visit is also for a social cause, not just the friendly match.

He added that the focus is on seamless coordination, public safety, and creating a vibrant sporting atmosphere reflecting Telangana’s growing enthusiasm for major sporting events. The state government is also planning to invite Messi as the global brand ambassador for its 'Telangana Rising' initiative, with CM Revanth Reddy hoping to leverage the football legend to showcase the state’s dynamism in sports, tourism, investment promotion, and youth outreach.

West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose on Saturday confirmed that football legend Lionel Messi and his team are pleased with the 70-foot statue installed at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata. Messi, who is in the city to kick off his GOAT India Tour 2025, is scheduled to virtually unveil the statue.

The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club recently completed the installation of a towering 70-foot iron statue in honour of the Argentine superstar at Lake Town in South Dum Dum, Kolkata. The statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, celebrating his historic World Cup triumph, and has drawn widespread attention from football fans across the city and beyond. Messi himself will virtually unveil the statue, adding to the excitement surrounding his visit.

Speaking to ANI, Sujit Bose said Messi and his team had given their consent for the statue and expressed happiness after seeing it. He added that the club has been in regular touch with Messi's management and that further interaction with the footballer is expected.

"We have talked to his manager, and today we will talk to Messi... He gave his consent for the statue and they are also happy...," Bose told ANI.

The West Bengal Minister earlier noted that the massive structure was completed in a record time of just 40 days.

"This is a very big statue, 70 feet in height. There is no other statue of Messi this big in the world. Messi is coming to Kolkata, and there are a lot of fans of Messi," he had said.

Lionel Messi arrived in the City of Joy early on Saturday morning, sparking widespread excitement among football enthusiasts. Thousands of fans gathered at multiple locations, hoping to catch a glimpse of the global football superstar.

The atmosphere across parts of Kolkata highlighted the state’s deep-rooted passion for football and Messi’s immense popularity among Indian fans.

This visit marks Messi’s first trip to India since 2011. During that visit, he played a friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. His return after 14 years has generated tremendous excitement among fans, who have been preparing for a grand celebration to welcome the global icon.