Lionel Messi
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi experienced a warm welcome in Hyderabad on Saturday as part of his “GOAT Tour of India,” following what were described as “massive chaos” earlier in the day in Kolkata.
The event, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, was a “superb night” for football fans who flocked to the venue. Despite the prior unrest in Kolkata, the Hyderabad event was a contrasting success, featuring tight security and a stadium filled with cheering fans.
A Night of Celebration and Affection
Messi, along with his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez, traveled to India for the tour. The superstar was clearly touched by the reception, conveying a heartfelt message to the Hyderabad crowd:
“Thank you very much for all your affection. It’s an honour for us to be able to spend these days here in India with you, so I’m truly grateful. Thank you so much,” said Messi.
His teammate, Rodrigo de Paul, echoed the sentiment, stating, “I’m very happy. This has been a very special night. Thank you so much for your love and affection.”
Fans were ecstatic as the legend played football and even kicked balls into the crowd. Luis Suarez also shared a brief message: “Good evening everyone. Thank you for the love. A big hug!”
Political Presence and Exhibition Fun
The event saw significant political attendance. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was present at the venue and participated in the exhibition match, sharing a few passes with Messi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also in attendance and was seen clicking pictures with the football icon.
Focus Shifts to Mumbai Amid Security Concerns
Following the successful event in Hyderabad, the focus now shifts to Messi’s visit to Mumbai on Sunday.
Authorities are taking extraordinary measures to ensure the visit remains safe and orderly, especially to prevent a recurrence of the “chaotic scenes” that unfolded in Kolkata. In Kolkata, thousands of fans reportedly protested inside the Salt Lake Stadium after failing to catch a clear glimpse of the football icon despite paying hefty sums for tickets.
For the Mumbai visit, city police are implementing stringent security measures, including:
* Banning items like water bottles, metals, and coins inside the stadiums.
* Setting up watchtowers to monitor the crowd.
The police have stated they are taking extra care to avoid any stampede-like situation and to prevent a recurrence of the chaos seen earlier.