Workers prepare posters of Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi in Hyderabad. File
| Photo Credit: G. Ramakrishna
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Hyderabad on Saturday (December 13, 2025) to meet Football legend Lionel Messi, who is here as a part of the GOAT India tour.
Mr. Gandhi will arrive at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, from Delhi by a special flight at around 2.15 p.m. and proceed to the Falaknuma Palace Hotel, where he will meet Messi.
Later in the evening, he will also watch the football match between Messi XI and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s XI, which is scheduled to take place during the evening hours. Mr. Gandhi will leave to New Delhi in the night.
Elaborate security arrangements are being made for the event at the RGI Cricket stadium.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu said security would be provided with 3,000 personnel.
Messi arrives in Kolkata
Thousands braved the December chill and waited past midnight to give a rousing welcome to Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his whirlwind three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
The Barcelona legend’s 2.26 a.m. touchdown in the early hours of Saturday (December 13, 2025) sent the city into a frenzy. Gate 4 of the international arrivals turned into a roaring sea of chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans sprinting between gates for even a fleeting glimpse of their favourite star.
Children perched on shoulders and drums rolled as Messi was whisked out through the VIP gate under massive security. A heavy convoy then escorted him to his hotel, where another huge crowd was waiting deep into the night.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – December 13, 2025 09:48 am IST
