Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy holding a poster of Lionnel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025. File
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Hyderabad will witness a dream match, ‘Revanth Reddy 9 vs Lionel Messi 10’, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, on December 13, 2025.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s team will take on the team led by Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi, who arrives in India as part of the ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’. Mr. Reddy will wear Jersey number 9, and Messi his famous jersey number 10.
Shiv Sena Reddy, Chairman of the Sports Authority of Telangana, described the event as symbolic of Telangana’s rising global ambition. “India’s fittest Chief Minister doesn’t want to play with Chief Ministers of other States, just like he doesn’t want Telangana to compete with other Indian States but with international cities. So he will be playing with Messi, and this match will be on a different pitch altogether.”
What makes the event even more special is the composition of Team RR9. Selected government school children with demonstrated football talent will play alongside the Chief Minister.
“Imagine the excitement of these kids when they receive a pass from Messi’s ‘golden’ legs,” said an official coordinating the match, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment for young players and thousands of fans. The prospect of local children sharing the field with one of the greatest icons in world sport has triggered massive anticipation, with ticket requests beginning to surge.
Confirming Messi’s Hyderabad stopover, the Chief Minister posted on ‘X’, “I look forward to welcoming and hosting G.O.A.T. Lionel Messi in Hyderabad on December 13. It is an exciting moment for our city and for every football fan who has dreamt of seeing a legend like you on our soil. Hyderabad is ready to host him with warmth, pride and the spirit that defines our people.”
The visit comes after Messi himself announced on a social media platform. “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!”
Hyderabad was added to the G.O.A.T. India tour after Ahmedabad was taken off the list, and it reflects the city’s rapidly growing global profile. The tour will open in Kolkata at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium on the morning of December 13, after which Messi will fly to Hyderabad the same evening for the second leg of celebrations.
The Telangana government is reportedly preparing to invite Lionel Messi to serve as the global brand ambassador for its “Telangana Rising” initiative, projecting the State’s dynamism to the world through sports, tourism, investment promotion and youth outreach.
The Chief Minister, who himself is an avid football lover and a player in his younger days, believes that Messi’s presence could significantly boost Telangana’s global positioning and lift Hyderabad’s status as a world-class sporting, cultural and economic hub.
Published – November 28, 2025 05:36 pm IST
