Hyderabad roars for Messi, as Revanth Reddy scores in a friendly match

Hyderabad became a football festival as it hosted the anticipated ‘GOAT Cup’ during Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour of India’ at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal on Saturday. In contrast to the chaos in Kolkata, the Hyderabad event ran smoothly, turning into a joyful celebration fueled by fan enthusiasm and star presence.

The exhibition match between Singareni RR and Aparna–Messi All Stars drew huge cheers from packed stands. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy played for Singareni RR, while Lionel Messi captained the All Stars, thrilling the crowd with his touches.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi watched from the stands with family, highlighting the event’s prominence. Before kick-off, Messi and Revanth Reddy posed for photos with both teams, setting a friendly tone.

A highlight was Messi kicking a ball into the crowd, sparking frenzy as fans scrambled for it. The Uppal event demonstrated Hyderabad’s football passion and ability to host major international spectacles, with strong security and crowd management providing a seamless experience.