Football superstar Lionel Messi received a rousing welcome from fans in Hyderabad on Friday evening as he attended the GOAT Cup exhibition match, part of his ongoing three-day India tour. The atmosphere at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium stood in sharp contrast to the chaos witnessed earlier in the day at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
Messi arrived in Hyderabad in the evening and reached the stadium at around 7:55 PM IST, amid tight security arrangements. As the Argentine icon entered the venue, thousands of fans erupted in cheers, creating a festive and well-managed environment.
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi graces the field at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium and plays football with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#MessiInIndia #Hyderabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/O4DZ0OcIhC
One of the highlights of the evening came when Messi shared the field with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The football legend played a few passes with the CM and calmly slotted the ball into the net, sending the packed stadium into a frenzy. A video of the moment has since gone viral on social media.
Hyderabad Event Stands in Contrast to Kolkata Mayhem
Earlier in the day, Messi’s appearance in Kolkata had been marred by chaos due to poor crowd control. Around 50,000 spectators, many of whom had paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 for tickets — and in some cases as high as Rs 20,000 on the black market — were left disappointed as politicians, VVIPs, security personnel and aides surrounded Messi, blocking fans’ views at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The situation escalated when angry fans began hurling bottles, which are banned at sporting venues. Chairs were ripped out and thrown, leaving fibreglass seats smashed across the pitch and synthetic track, causing extensive damage before police intervened.
Smooth Security, Star Power in Hyderabad
Unlike Kolkata, the Hyderabad event unfolded without any disruption. Messi arrived under strict security, and the crowd remained orderly while cheering enthusiastically for the football icon.
Messi was joined by fellow Argentine stars Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, who have been travelling with him during the India tour. An exhibition match took place before Messi entered the field, after which he interacted with CM Revanth Reddy and delighted fans with his trademark touch and finish.