Messi’s India Tour Gathers Pace as Hyderabad Finalises Grand Reception Plans for Dec 13

Hyderabad is buzzing with anticipation as preparations intensify for football legend Lionel Messi's visit on December 13, 2025, as part of his much-anticipated GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) India Tour. A high-level review meeting was held on Tuesday to finalise logistics for the event at either the Gachibowli Stadium or Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, ensuring seamless arrangements for the Argentine superstar's arrival in the evening following his Kolkata leg earlier that day.

The GOAT Tour, Messi's first return to India in 14 years since 2011, will span four major cities: Kolkata (December 13), Mumbai (December 14), and Delhi (December 15), with Hyderabad now confirmed as the fourth stopover to represent South India. Organised by promoter Satadru Dutta in collaboration with major corporations like the Adani Group, the tour blends football masterclasses, celebrity matches, concerts, and meet-and-greets, celebrating Messi's legacy and India's burgeoning football passion.

Key attendees at the Hyderabad planning session included Parvathi Reddy, Chief Patron and Advisor for the GOAT Tour Hyderabad; Satadru Dutta, Chief Promoter of the India Tour; international adviser Christopher Flannery; Messi's personal manager, Pablo Negre; and Coordination Committee member Dr Rohin Reddy. Discussions focused on security, venue setup, and fan experiences, including a celebrity football match, youth clinic, felicitation ceremony, and musical tribute.

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Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy personally unveiled the official poster for the Hyderabad event last week, underscoring the state's enthusiasm and commitment to hosting a world-class spectacle. Tickets, starting at ₹3,250 for general entry and going up to premium VVIP packages, are available exclusively via the District app, with fans snapping them up rapidly amid high demand.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, expressed his excitement in an official statement, calling India a "very special country" with "fantastic" fans. The tour promises star-studded moments, such as potential appearances by Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni in Mumbai's Padel GOAT Cup, while Hyderabad's lineup could feature local icons to bridge global and regional football cultures.

As the city gears up with murals, fan zones, and enhanced transport, Messi's visit is poised to ignite football fervour across South India, potentially boosting sports tourism and youth engagement in the sport. With the tour's itinerary locked, enthusiasts are counting down to what promises to be an unforgettable three-day national celebration.

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