Messi’s GOAT Tour Draws Massive Crowds, Mixed Reactions Across Indian Cities

Mangalore Today News Network

Hyderabad/Mumbai/Kolkata, Dec 14, 2025: Global football icon Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour of India’ evoked an overwhelming response from fans across the country, with contrasting experiences reported in different cities.

In Hyderabad, traffic came to a standstill from Habsiguda junction to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal from around 4 pm on Saturday as thousands converged to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar. Messi arrived in the city in the evening and reached the stadium at around 7.55 pm. The event concluded smoothly without any untoward incidents.

A moment that went viral from the Hyderabad leg showed Messi playing football alongside Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, drawing wide attention on social media. Fans from abroad also travelled to Hyderabad to witness the World Cup winner in action.

A friendly match between Singareni RR and Aparna–Messi All Stars drew loud cheers from packed stands. While Chief Minister Revanth Reddy turned out for Singareni RR, Messi captained the All Stars. Singareni RR won the match 3–0, though the result mattered little to fans, whose focus remained firmly on Messi.

The Hyderabad event stood in sharp contrast to the Kolkata leg of the tour, where chaos broke out at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). Fans expressed anger after a programme billed for two hours reportedly ended in about 30 minutes. With many unable to get a clear glimpse of Messi due to crowding, incidents of vandalism, including damaged chairs and bottles being thrown, were reported.

In Mumbai, Messi inaugurated ‘Project Mahadeva’ along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, an initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots football in the state. The Argentine star also met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium, who presented him with an Indian cricket jersey bearing his name. Messi later interacted with Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri.

The Mumbai event concluded on a celebratory note as Messi, along with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul, made their way off the field, bringing the high-profile tour stop to a close amid applause from fans.