Excitement is reaching fever pitch in Hyderabad, India, as football legend Lionel Messi prepares to arrive as part of ‘The GOAT India Tour’ this Saturday. Fans are eagerly counting down the days for a chance to witness one of the greatest footballers of all time in person.
For those hoping to capture the moment with Messi in a photograph, the opportunity comes at a staggering cost. Organisers have confirmed that only 100 lucky individuals will be able to take pictures with the superstar, and each ticket will set fans back ₹9.95 lakh—roughly ৳13.5 lakh in Bangladeshi taka. The exclusive photo session will take place at the Falaknuma Palace Hotel, one of Hyderabad’s most iconic venues, and bookings are available through a dedicated online app.
Event Schedule
Messi will land in Hyderabad at 4:00 pm on Saturday, travelling from the airport to Upal Stadium, the city’s renowned cricket venue. A three-hour extravaganza will kick off at 7:00 pm, featuring multiple highlights:
| Time | Event | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 pm | Football match | Messi’s Aparna Messi All Stars vs Singareni RR-9 |
| Match Details | 20-minute game | 15 children from both teams participate |
| Final 5 minutes | Special match segment | Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao joins |
| Skill Session | Football techniques | Messi, Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul |
| Penalty Shootout | 5 minutes | Superstar trio coaches children |
Messi will be accompanied by Luis Suárez, his longtime friend and club teammate, and Rodrigo De Paul, a member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad. The football legends will not only play but also teach children football skills and take part in a five-minute penalty shootout with them.
India Tour Overview
Messi’s India tour begins on 13 December, when he will first arrive in Kolkata. Highlights of his Kolkata visit include:
Unveiling of Messi’s statue
Participating in a friendly match at Yuba Bharati Stadium
Later in the day, Messi will fly to Hyderabad, before continuing the tour to Mumbai and finally Delhi, where on 15 December, he is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This event underscores the massive global appeal of Lionel Messi, whose presence in India has drawn fans willing to pay extraordinary sums for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
