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Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi’s visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday helped make up for the chaotic opener of the GOAT Tour 2025 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata earlier in the day. Messi appeared quite comfortable on the field, passing the ball around with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, as Telangana CM Revath Reddy also joined in.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner thrilled fans with a few touches before sending lucky spectators home with a memento by kicking a ball into the stands, where excited followers scrambled to catch it. Messi was honoured by Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the exhibition game in Uppal.
Messi travelled to Hyderabad after a chaotic visit to Kolkata, where fans
who had paid to see the magician from Rosario were left disappointed. Politicians and organisers obstructed the Argentine superstar during his lap of honour at VYBK, leading to agitated fans as they couldn’t get a clear view of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. This resulted in security breaches and forced Messi to stop his lap of honour midway. Frustrated with the event’s organisation, fans began removing chairs and throwing various objects.
Messi arrived in Kolkata early on Saturday morning, greeted with great enthusiasm. Thousands of followers gathered at hotels, streets, and landmarks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football icon. He unveiled a statue of his likeness at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum. The massive statue depicts the legend holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, commemorating his crowning achievement with Argentina in Qatar.
The event marked Messi’s first trip to India since 2011, when he played at the Salt Lake Stadium, helping Argentina edge Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly. Messi’s return was supposed to be a joyous occasion as he walked the Indian shores as a World Champion, fulfilling a dream with his unmatched genius on the grandest stage in Doha.
However, chaos ensued as celebrities and influential people mobbed the star, taking up the time and emotions of the common man, leading to an emotional outburst. The main issue was that fans were denied a clear view of their hero, whom they had come to see with great anticipation, only to feel deceived. Organisers, politicians, and celebrities took the spotlight, using their privileged access to share the stage with the man who captured the dreams of millions.
