Lionel Messi to visit Hyderabad as part of India’s GOAT Tour in December

Argentina’s football legend and World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has officially confirmed Hyderabad as a destination in his highly awaited GOAT Tour to India 2025. The superstar will visit four major Indian cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi — between December 13 and 15. The tour will feature celebrity football matches, interactive clinics, musical performances, and fan engagement experiences.

Messi expressed enthusiasm while announcing Hyderabad’s inclusion, posting on social media, “Thanks for all the love from India! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits… See you soon India!” His message ignited a wave of celebration among fans nationwide. The addition of Hyderabad reportedly followed the cancellation of Argentina’s proposed friendly match in Kochi earlier planned for November.

Organiser Satadru Dutta revealed that the Hyderabad event will likely take place at either Gachibowli Stadium or Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The programme will include a special celebrity match, a football clinic for young athletes, a felicitation ceremony, and entertainment performances. Messi is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the final leg of the tour in New Delhi.

The tour route effectively covers all four geographic regions of India: east (Kolkata), south (Hyderabad), west (Mumbai), and north (New Delhi), allowing fans from across the country an opportunity to witness the global icon in person. Messi will begin his visit in Kolkata on December 13, land in Hyderabad later that evening, head to Mumbai on December 14, and conclude in New Delhi on December 15.

Indian football enthusiasts view this tour as a monumental opportunity to inspire young talent and expand the sport’s popularity. Anticipation is already sky-high, with ticket announcements expected soon.