Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has expanded his upcoming visit to India by adding Hyderabad as a fourth stop on his highly anticipated 'GOAT' tour. The World Cup winner confirmed the addition via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the reception from his Indian fanbase ahead of his return to the country after 14 years.
Tickets for the Hyderabad leg are scheduled to go live today, November 28, at 12 PM IST exclusively through the District app and website. The tour, organized by Satadru Dutta, will run from December 13 to 15, now covering Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and the Telangana capital.
The revised schedule presents an action-packed timeline, beginning on December 13 in Kolkata with an appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium at 10:30 AM. Later that same day, Messi will travel to Hyderabad for an evening event scheduled for 7 PM at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
The tour continues to Mumbai on December 14 at the Wankhede Stadium, before concluding in New Delhi on December 15 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While Hyderabad sales are just commencing, organizers noted that limited premium inventory remains for the Mumbai leg, with prices starting at Rs 7,080.
Fans attending the events can expect a blend of football skills and entertainment. In each city, Messi is slated to participate in 7v7 exhibition matches alongside scouted young talents, conduct masterclasses, and engage in penalty shootouts.
The Hyderabad event will also feature musical concerts and felicitation ceremonies. Reports suggest that Messi will be accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, throughout the three-day journey across the subcontinent.
The decision to include Hyderabad follows the cancellation of a proposed friendly match in Kochi, with organizers keen to ensure a presence in South India. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had publicly unveiled the event poster earlier this month, signaling official support for the visit.
Addressing his followers, Messi wrote, "Thanks for all the love from India! The GOAT tour kicks off in a few weeks’ time!!! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. See you soon, India!"