Lionel Messi will no longer be stopping in Ahmedabad during his upcoming GOAT Tour of India, with Hyderabad replacing the city following the cancellation of Argentina’s friendly in Kerala. The Argentine football legend will now interact with fans and celebrities in Hyderabad instead.
New Delhi: There has been a change in the itinerary for Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’. Hyderabad has been added to the tour in place of Ahmedabad, after Argentina’s friendly match in Kerala was called off.
Messi will begin his Indian tour in Kolkata on 13 December. Initially, he was supposed to travel to Ahmedabad for a sponsor-related event, but that event has now been moved to Mumbai. Consequently, Messi will travel from Kolkata to Hyderabad before proceeding to Mumbai. The change was made to ensure the southern leg of the tour is covered.
The organisers have emphasised that the adjustment will allow fans across India to witness the Argentine maestro. The tour will start in the east (Kolkata), move to the south (Hyderabad), head to the west (Mumbai), and conclude in the north (New Delhi), giving fans in all regions a chance to see one of the greatest footballers of all time.
“Now we are covering south also. This will be a tribute to millions of football fans in South India,” said Satadru Dutta, the sole organiser of the GOAT Tour of India 2025, confirming Hyderabad has replaced Ahmedabad in the itinerary.
The Hyderabad leg of the tour will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where Messi will interact with fans, meet celebrities, and participate in a celebrity match as part of the ‘GOAT Cup’. Dutta also confirmed that a football clinic, a musical programme, and a felicitation ceremony will be organised in Hyderabad.
According to Dutta, Messi’s GOAT Tour of India will follow this schedule:
13 December – Arrival in Kolkata, meet and greet at Salt Lake Stadium.
13 December – Arrival in Hyderabad, GOAT Cup match, meet and greet, and other events at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
14 December – Arrival in Mumbai, GOAT Cup match, meet and greet, and other events at Wankhede Stadium.
15 December – Arrival in Delhi to conclude the tour with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi will travel from Kolkata to Hyderabad on 13 December, and then proceed to Mumbai on 14 December to take part in a seven-a-side friendly celebrity match. The tour will conclude in Delhi, giving fans across the country an opportunity to celebrate one of football’s greatest icons.