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Hyderabad delivered a vastly different, and far smoother, experience for football fans as Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated GOAT India Tour reached the city on Saturday evening, just hours after scenes of chaos marred the Kolkata leg of the event.
At a packed Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, the Argentine icon was greeted by thunderous cheers, orderly crowds and a carnival-like atmosphere that stood in sharp contrast to the disappointment witnessed earlier in the tour.
An air of celebration surrounded the venue long before Messi appeared. Thousands of fans waited patiently for nearly four hours, kept engaged by laser shows, fireworks and bursts from flamethrowers. Organisers estimated a crowd of around 30,000, with many supporters clad in Argentina’s blue-and-white striped jerseys.
Anticipation peaked when Messi arrived at the stadium on schedule at 7.50 pm, sending waves of excitement through the stands.
The evening opened with a friendly match between Revanth Reddy 9s and Aparna All-Stars, setting a relaxed and festive mood. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy played an active role in the fixture, even finding the net as his side surged to a 4–0 lead. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present at the venue, adding to the high-profile nature of the occasion.
Moments after kick-off, the stadium erupted again as Messi, along with Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, made his way on to the pitch. Play was briefly halted to allow fans an uninterrupted view of the footballing legends.
Unlike the Kolkata event, where layers of security personnel and VIP congestion restricted visibility, Hyderabad offered supporters a far clearer experience. Revanth Reddy was seen personally ensuring that Messi was not crowded as he entered the field, allowing fans in the stands clean sightlines.
Organisers appeared to have taken lessons from earlier missteps. Crowd management was tighter, access was smoother and the overall atmosphere inside the stadium remained noticeably calm throughout the evening.
What followed were extended fan-friendly interactions that had been missing from the opening leg of the tour. Messi took part in light kickabouts with the Chief Minister and children on the field, smiling and engaging freely rather than making brief, symbolic appearances.
The Argentine star then completed multiple laps of honour around the stadium, waving to supporters and soaking in the noise and affection from the crowd. Along with his teammates, he kicked footballs into the stands, giving several fans souvenirs from what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime evening.
The gestures drew sustained applause and chants, reinforcing the sense that Hyderabad had delivered the football celebration supporters had hoped for.
The night concluded with a presentation ceremony, during which Revanth Reddy presented Messi with a token of appreciation for the tour. Rahul Gandhi was also seen briefly interacting with the footballer on the sidelines.
Addressing the crowd in Spanish, Messi thanked Indian fans for their affection and long-standing support, reflecting on the connection he has built with supporters across the world, including during Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
“I just wanted to thank you for the love today and always. Honestly, I saw many things before arriving here, throughout all this time, during the last World Cup. And well, thank you very much for all the affection. It’s an honour for us to be able to share these days here in India with you. So I’m very grateful. Thank you very much,” Messi said.
In contrast to the disorder and frustration that defined the Kolkata event, Hyderabad marked a clear reset for the GOAT tour. Better planning, tighter control of VIP movement and a clear focus on the fan experience ensured that this leg lived up to expectations, restoring confidence in the remainder of Messi’s India visit.
