Workers prepare posters of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi in Hyderabad. File | Photo credit: G. Ramakrishna
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Hyderabad on Saturday (December 13, 2025) to meet football legend Lionel Messi, who is here as part of the GOAT India tour.
Mr Gandhi will arrive at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from Delhi on a special flight around 2.15pm and proceed to Falaknuma Palace Hotel where he will meet Messi.
Later in the evening, he will also watch the football match between Messi’s XI and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s XI to be played in the evening. Mr. Gandhi will leave for New Delhi at 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 by 3,000 personnel.
Messi arrives in Kolkata
Thousands braved the December chill and waited past midnight to give a rapturous welcome to Argentine footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
The Barcelona legend’s landing at 2.26am on Saturday morning (December 13, 2025) sent the city into a frenzy. International Arrivals Gate 4 was transformed into a roaring sea of chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans sprinting between the gates for even a glimpse of their favorite star.
Children sat on shoulders and drums rolled as Messi was ushered out the VIP gate under heavy security. A heavy convoy then escorted him to his hotel, where another huge crowd was waiting late into the night.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – 13 Dec 2025 09:48 IST
