Rahul Gandhi to Join Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour Event in Hyderabad, State Prepares for Grand Football Spectacle

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will attend football icon Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour’ event at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on December 13, adding political prominence to an evening already charged with global sporting excitement.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to witness a special friendly football match featuring teams led by Lionel Messi and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, an encounter that has generated enormous interest among football fans and the general public alike. The Chief Minister personally invited Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to attend the event during his visit to New Delhi on Thursday, underscoring the significance the state government is attaching to the occasion.

With only hours left for the mega event, Hyderabad is witnessing heightened activity as authorities put in place stringent security and elaborate logistical arrangements. The hour-long spectacle on Saturday night is expected to draw nearly 39,000 spectators, while thousands more are likely to gather around the venue in the busy Uppal area.

Police officials have announced extensive crowd-control and security measures to ensure a smooth and incident-free event. Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu confirmed that only valid ticket holders will be permitted entry into the stadium. As many as 2,500 police personnel will be deployed for crowd management, traffic regulation, and overall security. Traffic restrictions have been imposed on roads surrounding the stadium, and commuters have been advised to plan their travel accordingly.

Lionel Messi is scheduled to arrive at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 p.m. From there, he will travel to the Taj Falaknuma Palace, where he is expected to attend a brief programme before proceeding to the stadium for the match. Following the event, the football legend will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who will lead the team RR9 against Messi’s Messi10, has been preparing rigorously for the match. Over the past few days, he has been practising with football players at various grounds across the city, reflecting both personal enthusiasm and the symbolic importance of the match.

The friendly encounter is part of Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour 2025’, celebrating his extraordinary contribution to global football. For the match, Revanth Reddy will don jersey number 9, while Messi will wear his iconic number 10.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said an overwhelming turnout of football lovers is expected and urged spectators to arrive well in advance to avoid congestion and ensure safety. He noted that special traffic corridors and designated routes have been arranged for the movement of Messi, Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, ministers, and other VIPs.

Vikramarka also stated that the match is being organised as part of the state’s broader “Telangana Rising” celebrations, adding that Messi had shown personal interest in associating himself with the initiative.

IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu highlighted that Messi’s visit goes beyond football entertainment. He said the global star is participating for a social cause, and the government is focused on ensuring seamless coordination, public safety, and a vibrant sporting atmosphere that reflects Telangana’s growing stature as a host of international events.

Beyond the match, the Telangana government is exploring the possibility of inviting Lionel Messi to serve as the global brand ambassador for the ‘Telangana Rising’ campaign. The Chief Minister is keen to leverage the football legend’s global appeal to showcase Telangana’s dynamism in sports, tourism, investment promotion, and youth engagement, projecting the state onto the world stage through the universal language of football.