Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is all set to visit India in December as part of the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’.
On his maiden visit to the country after a long gap of 14 years, the Inter Miami star will take part in multiple events across cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi.
Meanwhile, now Hyderabad is gearing up to welcome football superstar Lionel Messi next month.
The visit was confirmed after organisers of Messi’s India tour met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at his residence. During the meeting, the CM unveiled the official tour poster and received a football signed by Messi’s team, marking the symbolic beginning of the event.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), posting a picture with the official poster. His caption read, “Telangana welcomes Lionel Messi! The GOAT arrives in Hyderabad this December as part of the ‘Telangana Rising 2047’ vision.”
Hyderabad replaced Ahmedabad
Originally, Hyderabad was not part of Messi’s India itinerary. The city was added after a proposed Argentina friendly in Kochi was cancelled, ensuring fans in southern India get a chance to see the football icon live. With Hyderabad on the schedule, the ‘GOAT Tour’ will now cover Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, transforming it into a nationwide celebration of football. Initially, Messi was scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, but that trip now stands cancelled.
Notably, Messi will first arrive in Kolkata on December 13, after which, he will visit Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, respectively.
While announcing his visit to India, Messi wrote on Instagram that he was “truly excited” to be in the “beautiful country,” adding that it will be a “pleasure” for him to take part in “concerts, youth football clinics, a paddle cup and launch charitable initiatives during events at iconic stadiums in Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and maybe one more city.”
“It will also be an honour to be able to interact and meet with India’s biggest stars and top dignitaries,” he wrote, while thanking The Satadru Dutta Initiative for making this his visit to India after 14 years possible. In 2011, Messi served as the captain of Argentina against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
- Agencies
