Football Icon Lionel Messi Adds Hyderabad To His 'GOAT Tour of India'

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed that Hyderabad will be the fourth stop on his highly anticipated ‘GOAT Tour to India 2025,’ set to commence next month. The Telangana capital joins

Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi on his itinerary.

Messi, the World Cup-winning captain, will visit Hyderabad following his initial stop in Kolkata. He will then proceed to Mumbai and New Delhi, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“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!” Messi posted on his social media handle.

The inclusion of Hyderabad comes after the cancellation of Argentina’s proposed friendly in Kochi, originally announced by Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman for November 17.

This revised plan ensures that Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour’ will cover all four corners of India: east (Kolkata), south (Hyderabad), west (Mumbai), and north (New Delhi).

Satadru Dutta, the sole organiser of the ‘GOAT Tour to India 2025’, informed PTI that Messi’s event in Hyderabad will take place at either Gachibowli or Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. According to Dutta, the Hyderabad event will feature a celebrity match, football clinic, felicitation, and musical programme.

The GOAT Tour, conceptualised by Dutta, will include a mix of celebrity football matches, musical events, meet-and-greet sessions, masterclasses for children, and felicitation ceremonies across the four cities.

Messi will commence his tour in Kolkata on December 13, followed by Hyderabad the same evening. He will then travel to Mumbai on December 14, concluding in New Delhi on December 15.

With PTI Inputs