Lionel Messi will visit Hyderabad on December 13, 2025, as part of the ‘Got Tour to India 2025.’ Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao announced this during a meeting with tour organizers, where the official poster was unveiled. This visit comes after the cancellation of Argentina’s planned friendly match in Kochi, ensuring that football fans in South India will still have a chance to see Messi. The tour will be a nationwide football celebration, with events scheduled in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Messi’s visit aligns with the Telangana government’s ‘Telangana Rising 2047’ initiative, aimed at promoting the state as a global hub for sports, investment, and technology. Officials indicate that Messi might be invited as a global ambassador for this initiative to enhance Telangana’s international profile and inspire the youth. The Hyderabad event will feature a seven-member football match with celebrities, training sessions for young players, penalty shootouts, and a musical tribute. Local football academies and fans are excited, planning matches, fan marches, and public displays. Security arrangements are also in place to manage large crowds. The event is expected to begin at 7 PM at either the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium or the Gachibowli Stadium.