Hyderabad is abuzz with excitement as football legend Lionel Messi prepares to arrive for his ‘The GOAT India Tour’ this Saturday. Fans are eager for a rare chance to see the five-time Ballon d’Or winner up close, and the city is gearing up for a spectacular welcome.
However, for those hoping to snap a photo with Messi, the privilege comes at a steep price. According to organisers, only 100 fans will have the opportunity, each paying ₹9.95 lakh—approximately ৳13.5 lakh in Bangladeshi currency. The venue for this exclusive encounter is the Falaknuma Palace Hotel, one of Hyderabad’s most iconic landmarks. Interested attendees can secure their spot through a dedicated online booking app.
Event Schedule and Highlights
Messi will land in Hyderabad at 4:00 pm on Saturday, before heading to the Upal Stadium in the city’s cricket complex. The evening promises a three-hour extravaganza beginning at 7:00 pm.
Joining Messi in India are:
Rodrigo De Paul, World Cup-winning teammate
Luis Suárez, long-time friend and club colleague from Uruguay
The event will also feature a 20-minute football match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium:
Messi’s All Stars, led by Aparna Messi, will face Singerani RR-9
15 children will participate across both teams
The final five minutes will feature a special appearance by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao
Additionally, Messi, Suárez, and De Paul will coach the children in football techniques and participate in a five-minute penalty shootout, sharing tips with young fans.
Messi’s India Itinerary
| Date | City | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Dec | Kolkata | Arrival; unveiling of Messi statue; friendly match at Yuba Bharati Stadium |
| 13 Dec | Hyderabad | Evening event & football activities at Upal Stadium |
| 14 Dec | Hyderabad → Mumbai | Morning departure for Mumbai |
| 15 Dec | Delhi | Conclusion of India tour; meeting with PM Narendra Modi |
Messi will conclude his Indian tour in Delhi on 15 December, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the final high-profile engagement of this eagerly anticipated visit.
The tour not only provides a chance for fans to meet one of football’s greatest icons, but also promotes youth football in India through interactive sessions with Messi and his teammates. However, the high entry fee ensures that only a small, elite group of admirers will have the opportunity to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment.