Rahul Gandhi to Attend Lionel Messi Event in Hyderabad; Friendly Match to Be Played

Hyderabad: Argentina’s football superstar Lionel Messi has arrived in India, touching down in Kolkata on the morning of 13 December, where he received a grand welcome from fans. Later the same day, Messi is scheduled to travel to Hyderabad for his much-anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour’ event at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

VIPs and Football Legends Unite
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will attend the Hyderabad event, where he will witness a friendly match featuring Messi’s team, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and other players. The Chief Minister personally invited Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi to the event during their recent Delhi visit.

Massive Security Arrangements
Authorities have put in place stringent security measures for the hour-long event scheduled for Saturday night. With an expected audience of 39,000, the police will allow only ticketed spectators inside the stadium. A total of 2,500 personnel have been deployed for crowd control. Several roads around the Uppal-area stadium have been temporarily closed to ensure smooth traffic and security management.

Messi’s Arrival and Schedule
Messi is expected to land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 PM. Before heading to the stadium, he will attend a program at the Taj Falaknuma Hotel, where he will stay after the event. CM Revanth Reddy, leading RR9, will face Messi’s Messi10 team, with both leaders donning their iconic jerseys—Reddy wearing No. 9 and Messi No. 10. The CM and Messi have been practicing with players across various grounds in Hyderabad ahead of the match, which is part of Messi’s GOAT Tour 2025.

Football Meets Social Cause
Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramark highlighted that thousands of football fans are expected to attend and urged spectators to reach on time for smooth seating and safety. Special lanes have been designated for VIP arrivals and departures. Beyond the friendly match, Messi’s visit is also linked to a social initiative and Telangana’s ‘Telangana Rising’ celebration, with plans to make Messi a global brand ambassador for the campaign. IT Minister Sridhar Babu emphasized that the state government is focusing on coordination, public safety, and creating a vibrant sporting atmosphere, showcasing Telangana’s readiness to host major international sports events.

This event promises to be more than just a football match—it is a celebration of sports, youth engagement, tourism, and global collaboration, with Lionel Messi at the heart of it.

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