Kolkata: Lionel Messi’s eagerly awaited ‘GOAT Tour to India 2025’ has expanded to include Hyderabad as a new stop in the south, ensuring fans in the area can see their idol following the cancellation of Argentina’s scheduled friendly in Kerala. The addition of Hyderabad follows the cancellation of the friendly match in Kochi, initially announced by Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman for November 17. The updated plan now allows Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour’ to cover all four regions of India—east (Kolkata), south (Hyderabad), west (Mumbai), and north (New Delhi)—making it one of the largest sporting events ever held in the country. “Now we are covering the south as well.
This will be a tribute to millions of football fans in South India,” said Satadru Dutta, the sole organizer of the ‘GOAT Tour to India 2025’, to PTI on Saturday. “With this, every region of India is represented. The west is covered through Mumbai, the east through Kolkata, and the north through Delhi. There is a significant fan base for Messi in Chennai, Kerala, and Hyderabad,” Dutta mentioned. “I aimed to make it a pan-India event, and now that the Kerala match is canceled, fans in the south should not be deprived of seeing Messi,” he added, noting that Hyderabad was selected to bring Messi’s presence to the region.
“The south should also experience Messi, so people from the south can travel to Hyderabad to watch him. Ticket sales for the Hyderabad event will begin within a week. The event is confirmed and will take place at either Gachibowli or Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium,” Dutta confirmed. He emphasized that the Hyderabad leg will be more than just a stop; it will be a grand celebration. “It will be an extension of GOAT Cup, featuring a celebrity match, a football clinic, awards, and a musical program. All the southern superstars will be present,” he revealed. Dutta stated that he has already initiated discussions with local organizers in Hyderabad and has received strong support from them.
Revised Itinerary: Dec 12-13 (Kolkata): Arrival in the early hours; Meet and greet at Hotel (9.30–10.40am); GOAT Cup at Salt Lake Stadium (11.30am–1.10pm); Statue unveiling at Sreebhumi, Lake Town; Departure for Hyderabad (2.15pm). Dec 13 (Hyderabad): Meet and greet (5pm); GOAT Cup (7–8.45pm) at either Rajiv Gandhi or Gachibowli Stadiums. Dec 14 (Mumbai): Meet and greet at Hotel (12 noon); Padel GOAT Cup inauguration; GOAT Cup at Wankhede Stadium (5.30pm). Dec 15 (New Delhi): Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi; GOAT Cup at Arun Jaitley Stadium (2.15pm).