Lionel Messi Touches Down In Hyderabad Amid Heightened Security

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi landed in India to a rousing welcome in Kolkata, marking the start of his GOAT India Tour.

By : ABP Live Sports  | Updated at : 13 Dec 2025 05:06 PM (IST)

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Key Events
16:58 (IST) Dec 13
AIFF expresses deep concern over chaos at Salt Lake Stadium
16:55 (IST) Dec 13
Messi’s flight has landed in Hyderabad
16:39 (IST) Dec 13
Messi has departed for Hyderabad
16:38 (IST) Dec 13
Telangana DGP's detailed security plan for Hyderabad
16:13 (IST) Dec 13
Messi was left confused on field

Messi arrived in Kolkata early Saturday morning (December 13), where thousands of fans gathered at the airport hoping to catch a glimpse.
Source : PTI

Background

The moment Indian football fans had been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived. Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has landed in India to a rousing welcome, marking the start of his GOAT India Tour.

Messi arrived in Kolkata early Saturday morning (December 13), where thousands of fans gathered at the airport hoping to catch a glimpse of the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain. Over the course of his three-day visit, Messi will travel across four Indian cities, beginning with Kolkata.

Messi’s schedule in the City of Joy starts with a meet-and-greet session with fans, followed by the unveiling of his 70-foot statue. He will then head to the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, where Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is also expected to be present. Later, Messi will visit Salt Lake Stadium to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.

Bidhannagar Deputy Commissioner of Police Anish Sarkar told Sportstar that the event will run from 10:00 AM to 1:05 PM, with stadium gates opening for spectators at 7:00 AM. He added that tickets will be scanned at entry points and ramps, and that items such as tifos, megaphones, and flammable materials will not be permitted inside the venue.

After participating in a friendly match and felicitation ceremony in Kolkata, Messi will depart for Hyderabad, where he is scheduled to play an exhibition match against a team led by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. From there, he will travel to Mumbai, where he will take part in the Padel Cup, play a charity football match, attend an event at the Wankhede Stadium, and participate in a charity fashion show.

For the final leg of his tour, Messi will head to New Delhi, where he is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, December 15. Following an afternoon event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Messi’s India tour will officially come to an end.

16:58 PM (IST)  •  13 Dec 2025

AIFF expresses deep concern over chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

All India Football Federation (AIFF) has expressed “deep concern” over the chaos at Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi’s visit but clarified that it was not responsible for the incident. The governing body emphasized that the event was a private initiative organized by a PR agency and that no official clearance for the tour had been sought from the AIFF.

16:55 PM (IST)  •  13 Dec 2025

Messi’s flight has landed in Hyderabad

Lionel Messi’s flight has landed, and fans eagerly await his arrival in Hyderabad.

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Lionel Messi Lionel Messi India Tour Lionel Messi Kolkata Lionel Messi GOAT Tour Lionel Messi India Live Updates
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