Messi’s GOAT India Tour: Soccer icon reaches Hyderabad after Kolkata chaos

Lionel Messi on the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
DEBASISH BHADURI

Legendary FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina soccer icon Lionel Messi reached Hyderabad on Saturday, his second pit cease for his ‘GOAT India Tour’ 2025. Messi was delivered to Hyderabad with a excessive stage of safety after the chaos that unfolded earlier right this moment in Kolkata throughout his first cease of the tour.

Messi’s itinerary in Hyderabad features a extremely anticipated 7v7 exhibition soccer match on the Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Stadium, the place Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is anticipated to hitch him on the sphere. The night will conclude with a grand musical extravaganza celebrating Messi’s illustrious profession and his achievements in world soccer. The Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have additionally reached Hyderabad.

Earlier, occasion organiser Anuttam Reddy shared particulars of Messi’s schedule, saying, “Lionel Messi is anticipated to return on the stadium by 7:00-7.30 pm. Musical packages will begin at 5.30 pm onwards. There may be loads of leisure for everybody… Messi can be right here with us on the bottom for about 1 hour… There can be quite a lot of occasions… As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, he’ll have interaction with youngsters.”

Followers are extremely excited concerning the soccer legend’s Hyderabad go to, with one of many followers, named Abhishek, saying to ANI, “I’m from Maharashtra. I got here right here to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. It is rather nice of him to return to India…I’ve been a supporter of Lionel Messi since childhood. It’s a dream-come-true second for me… Even when I get to see him for 2 minutes, that will be sufficient for me.”

Kolkata mess

Notably, Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour descended into chaos on Saturday after followers expressed disappointment when the Argentine legend left the occasion at Salt Lake Stadium a lot sooner than deliberate, leaving the gang offended. The gang additionally voiced anger at VIPs and politicians, together with West Bengal sports activities minister Arup Biswas, for hogging Messi’s time and stopping them from catching a glimpse of the soccer legend. Many followers who paid a hefty quantity to observe a glimpse of the soccer icon Messi grew to become offended and started throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. The offended mob additionally entered the bottom and tried to vandalise the tent and the purpose publish.

The All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) issued a press release clarifying that Lionel Messi’s occasion in Kolkata was a personal occasion organised by a PR company and the federation was not concerned within the “planning or execution” of the occasion at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

“The All India Soccer Federation is deeply involved by the occasions that transpired on the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the place 1000’s of followers gathered to witness world soccer stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul.” AIFF shared an Instagram publish. “This was a personal occasion organised by a PR company. The AIFF was not concerned within the organisation, planning, or execution of this occasion in any capability. Moreover, the main points of the occasion had been neither communicated to the AIFF, nor was any clearance sought from the Federation,” the publish learn.

“We urge all attendees to increase their full cooperation with the related authorities and to take care of order. The protection and safety of all people concerned should stay the paramount precedence,” it mentioned.

In October, Satadru Dutta, the principal architect behind Messi’s go to, said that the go to was organised independently and that there was no involvement of the All India Soccer Federation (AIFF). “No, this can be a non-public occasion,” he clarified.

“AIFF is a giant organisation. Let AIFF run like AIFF. I’m tying up in my non-public capability. They’ve their very own packages, and AIFF is a federation. In the event that they ask me for something then I’ll attempt to assist them. AIFF haven’t requested something from me. I additionally didn’t say something to AIFF. Each federation has a coverage. They will be unable to transcend that coverage,” he famous. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose mentioned that the organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour occasion has been arrested after the chaos. Chatting with ANI, Governor Ananda Bose mentioned the occasion organiser was arrested. “The organiser has been arrested, and an investigation has been performed.”

Following the chaotic incident at Salt Lake Stadium, Extra Director Basic (ADG) Legislation and Order Jawed Shamim mentioned the state of affairs is below management. He added that an FIR has been lodged and the chief organiser has been arrested, and promised that organisers will refund cash to followers.

“There may be normalcy now. The second half is the investigation; the FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested… I am telling you, they (organisers) are promising that they may return (ticket price to followers). We are going to see how it may be performed,” Jawed Shamim informed reporters.

In the meantime, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee additionally apologised to followers after Messi’s Kolkata occasion become chaos.

“I’m deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed right this moment at Salt Lake Stadium. I used to be on my technique to the stadium to attend the occasion together with 1000’s of sports activities lovers and followers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, in addition to to all sports activities lovers and his followers, for the unlucky incident,” Mamta Banerjee wrote on X.

“I’m constituting an enquiry committee below the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Extra Chief Secretary, Dwelling and Hill Affairs Division, as members. The committee will conduct an in depth enquiry into the incident, repair duty, and advocate measures to forestall such occurrences sooner or later. As soon as once more, I lengthen my heartfelt apologies to all sports activities lovers,” West Bengal CM added.

Revealed on December 13, 2025