Argentine World Cup-winner Lionel Messi was felicitated by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during the Hyderabad leg of the GOAT India Tour 2025 on Saturday.
Messi, alongside Luis Suarez and Rodrigo
De Paul, was honoured by CM Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the legend visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Messi sent fans into a frenzy as he delighted the audience with a few touches and passes before sending lucky fans home with a memento by kicking a ball into the stands, where followers clamoured over it. Messi took to the field to thrill fans with a few touches, passing the ball around with Suarez, De Paul, and Reddy, before kicking a ball into the stands as fans rushed to grab it.
Messi travelled to Hyderabad following a chaotic visit to Kolkata, where fans in the West Bengal capital city, who had spent money to see the magician from Rosario, were left disappointed. Politicians and organisers obstructed the Argentine superstar during his lap of honour at VYBK, causing fans to become agitated as they couldn’t get a clear view of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. This led to security breaches, forcing Messi to stop his lap of honour midway. Upset with the event’s organisation, fans began removing chairs and throwing various objects.
Messi arrived in Kolkata early on Saturday morning, greeted by 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.
This trip marks 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 outbreak.
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