Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to attend a special event featuring football icon Lionel Messi as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad on December 13, 2025. Congress sources confirmed that Gandhi will witness a friendly exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will participate alongside Messi in a light-hearted football segment.
The event includes a short 15-20 minute friendly between teams Singareni RR9 (led by Revanth Reddy, wearing jersey number 9) and Aparna-Messi All Stars (with Messi in his iconic number 10). Moments before the game, Reddy and Messi are expected to join for a joint dribbling session, followed by a 7v7 exhibition match involving the Argentine star and a musical concert.
Gandhi is scheduled to arrive in Hyderabad on a special flight in the afternoon, proceeding to Taj Falaknuma Palace, where Messi is staying, before heading to the stadium for the evening program. The visit aligns with invitations extended by Revanth Reddy to senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for the privately organized tour supported logistically by the state government.
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Messi's Hyderabad stop follows morning engagements in Kolkata on the same day, marking the second leg of his whirlwind four-city India tour spanning Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi from December 13 to 15. Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul for select events, the tour features fan interactions, coaching clinics, and celebrity appearances.
The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) India Tour 2025 has generated massive excitement nationwide, blending sports, entertainment, and cultural elements. Reddy, a known football enthusiast, has been practicing for the occasion, emphasizing the event's role in inspiring young players.
As political and sporting worlds intersect in this unique crossover, the Hyderabad event underscores Messi's enduring global appeal and the growing enthusiasm for football in India.
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