Lionel Messi lands in Hyderabad: Police on high alert following messy Kolkata leg of GOAT tour

Argentine football great Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday amid heightened security arrangements, as authorities moved swiftly to prevent a repeat of the chaos that marred his appearance in Kolkata earlier today.

Messi landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad around 5 pm, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez. From the airport, he proceeded to Falaknuma Palace for a private meet-and-greet with a select group of fans, before heading to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal for the main event of his ‘GOAT Tour of India’.

Heavy security deployment in Hyderabad

In the wake of the disorder at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, Telangana Police have significantly tightened security for Messi’s Hyderabad visit. Telangana DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy ordered enhanced measures at the stadium and along the route taken by the football star.

A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place, involving local police, paramilitary forces and special units. Sniffer dogs have been deployed around the stadium, while more than 20 convoy and bulletproof vehicles have been stationed at key points. Special Task Force and Intelligence Wing teams are also monitoring the airport, the stadium and surrounding areas.

Authorities said the measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of Messi, dignitaries and spectators, as well as smooth crowd management.

Event schedule at Uppal Stadium

Messi is scheduled to take part in an exhibition event at Uppal Stadium later this evening, organised by the Telangana government. According to the official programme shared with media, the event will include a short friendly interaction, penalty shootouts and football clinics for children.

Sports Authority of Telangana chairman Shiva Sena Reddy sought to reassure fans after the Kolkata incident.

“Today there will be a small 20-minute friendly game between Messi and CM's XIs. It will be followed by Messi holding a football clinic for young players. I would like to assure that what happened in Kolkata earlier in the day will not happen here in Hyderabad, we have enough police force deployed to manage things and a small request to the fans that they should also be calm,” he said.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to be on the field with Messi during the programme, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to attend the event. Messi is expected to reach the stadium by around 7:45 pm IST.

What’s planned at Hyderabad’s Uppal Stadium

According to the official schedule shared with organisers, Lionel Messi’s Hyderabad programme at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, is expected to unfold as follows:

• 7:50 pm – Match kickoff
• 8:06 pm – Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy enters the pitch
• 8:07 pm – Lionel Messi enters the pitch
• 8:08 pm – Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul enter the pitch
• 8:11 pm – Messi and Revanth Reddy dribble the ball
• 8:13 pm – Penalty shootout, with three shots per team
• 8:15 pm – Group photograph with children
• 8:17 pm – Tiki-taka session in Zone 1 (Children’s Clinic) with Messi, Suárez, De Paul, Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi
• 8:18 pm – Rahul Gandhi enters the pitch
• 8:22 pm – Tiki-taka session in Zone 2
• 8:27 pm – Tiki-taka session in Zone 3
• 8:32 pm – Tiki-taka session in Zone 4
• 8:33 pm – Penalty shootout featuring Messi, with organiser Anuttam Reddy as goalkeeper
• 8:38 pm – Messi and players walk around the ground waving to fans
• 8:48 pm – Guests introduced on stage
• 8:51 pm – Messi takes photographs with organisers
• 8:53 pm – Messi and Rahul Gandhi present GOAT Cup trophies
• 8:54 pm – Chief Minister felicitates Lionel Messi
• 8:55 pm – Luis Suárez felicitated
• 8:56 pm – Rodrigo De Paul felicitated
• 8:58 pm – Chief Minister’s remarks
• 8:59 pm – Rahul Gandhi’s remarks
• 9:00 pm – Dignitaries exit the stadium

Ticket prices and fan excitement

Despite the concerns following the Kolkata episode, enthusiasm among fans in Hyderabad has remained high. Supporters were seen cheering outside the airport under tight security.

Ticket prices for the event at Uppal Stadium range from INR 2,250 to INR 30,000. LED displays featuring images of Messi, Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi in football jerseys have been installed near the stadium, drawing attention from passersby.

Shadow of Kolkata chaos

Messi’s Hyderabad appearance comes after scenes of unrest during his visit to Kolkata, where more than 50,000 spectators gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium. Fans grew angry after Messi’s appearance was cut short when the pitch was overrun by VIPs and officials, blocking visibility from the stands.

Bottles were thrown, chairs were damaged, fibreglass seats were smashed and temporary structures were torn apart before police restored order. The main organiser of the Kolkata event, Satadru Dutta, was later arrested following widespread criticism over mismanagement and security lapses.

Remaining tour itinerary

Following the Hyderabad leg, Messi is scheduled to travel to Mumbai on December 14 for appearances at the Padel Cup at the Cricket Club of India, a celebrity football match and an event at Wankhede Stadium that includes a charity fashion show.

The GOAT India Tour concludes in New Delhi on December 15, where Messi is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend a felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium alongside players from the Minerva Academy.

(With inputs from agencies)