Rahul Gandhi Meets Lionel Messi in Hyderabad, Receives GOATED No. 10 Jersey Amid GOAT Tour Spotlight

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, shared a memorable moment with Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in Hyderabad on Saturday, during the latter’s visit to India as part of the GOAT Tour. In a special gesture, Messi presented Gandhi with a GOATED No. 10 jersey, marking a unique interaction between the political leader and the football superstar.

The Congress leader spent quality time with Messi, posing for photographs, walking alongside the former Barcelona and PSG star, and engaging in light-hearted conversation as Messi waved to fans. Gandhi later shared his excitement on social media, posting an Instagram story from his official handle. In the post, he praised Messi’s extraordinary footballing career, writing, “Viva Football With the GOAT @leomessi,” accompanied by a video capturing highlights of their meeting, including Gandhi receiving the commemorative jersey.

The Congress party also released a video on its official social media channels, highlighting the special presentation. The video showed Messi giving Gandhi a jersey in Argentina’s iconic colors, while Gandhi reciprocated with a memento, symbolizing mutual respect and camaraderie.

Messi’s visit to Hyderabad followed a controversial appearance in Kolkata. In the morning, he had made headlines for his brief appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where frustrated spectators protested over limited access and exorbitant ticket prices. The chaos escalated to the point where the police had to conduct a large-scale lathi charge and deploy the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to restore order, forcing Messi to leave the venue earlier than planned.

Earlier in the day, Kolkata police had arrested Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser of the Salt Lake Stadium event, in connection with alleged mismanagement at the show. Additional Director General (Law & Order), Jawed Shamim, confirmed that an FIR would be registered and a thorough investigation would follow to determine the reasons behind the disorder. Shamim emphasized that all individuals found responsible for the mismanagement and ensuing chaos would be held accountable.

In contrast, Messi’s appearance in Hyderabad was calm and well-coordinated. The Argentine footballer arrived in the Telangana capital earlier in the afternoon and engaged in multiple public interactions. He participated in photo opportunities, kicked a football with children, and spent time with officials, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, alongside other senior government representatives and celebrities.

At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Messi made a brief appearance, staying within a VIP box while waving at cameras and interacting with fans through the stadium’s big screen broadcast. The Argentine star was also seen watching a match between two teams, demonstrating a relaxed engagement with local football enthusiasts. Organisers of the GOAT Tour appeared determined to project that the Hyderabad leg was smooth and devoid of the chaos seen in Kolkata, emphasizing that the earlier incident was an isolated occurrence.

Gandhi’s engagement with Messi came as part of a larger effort to promote sports and celebrate the GOAT Tour, which has brought one of the most celebrated footballers of all time to India. The interaction was widely shared on social media, drawing attention from football fans and political observers alike. The jersey presentation, along with Gandhi’s video post, quickly became a highlight, portraying a rare cross-over between politics and global sports.

The Hyderabad leg of Messi’s tour also emphasized the growing popularity of football in India, with organisers facilitating smooth logistics, fan interactions, and media coverage. Unlike the Kolkata controversy, Hyderabad offered a controlled environment, allowing both Messi and local dignitaries to engage meaningfully with attendees.

This visit also highlighted the stark contrast in event management between the two cities. While Kolkata witnessed significant unrest, Hyderabad demonstrated effective coordination between event organisers, local authorities, and law enforcement, ensuring safety and smooth execution.

Overall, the Hyderabad interaction between Rahul Gandhi and Lionel Messi served as a positive chapter in Messi’s India GOAT Tour. Gandhi’s social media engagement and the official jersey presentation reinforced the appeal of sports diplomacy and global sporting icons connecting with political and public figures. The successful Hyderabad event followed by smooth public appearances provided a moment of respite for Messi’s tour after the Kolkata turbulence.

The event also underscored Messi’s continued influence and charisma worldwide, as even political leaders in India seized the opportunity to meet the football legend. With fans, officials, and celebrities witnessing the encounter, the Hyderabad leg of the GOAT Tour offered a showcase of seamless event execution, memorable fan interaction, and a symbolic cross-cultural engagement.

In conclusion, despite the earlier Kolkata chaos, Messi’s Hyderabad visit, highlighted by his interaction with Rahul Gandhi, left a lasting impression, celebrating football, sportsmanship, and international camaraderie in a controlled, well-managed environment.