Messi’s Hyderabad Visit: Minute-by-Minute Schedule Announced, Police Warn Against Misconduct-2025
Hyderabad: With memories of violence during football legend Lionel Messi’s programme in Kolkata still fresh, the Hyderabad police have issued a stern warning of stringent action against any misconduct during Messi’s appearance at the city stadium. To ensure smooth conduct, officials have released a detailed minute-by-minute schedule of the evening’s events.
Messi is scheduled to enter the stadium at 7.50 p.m., coinciding with the kick-off of the match. Shortly thereafter, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will enter the pitch, followed by Messi and football stars Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. The dignitaries and players will take a parade walk around the stadium, acknowledging fans, before assembling on a specially erected stage for formal introductions.
At 8.11 p.m., Messi and the Chief Minister will symbolically dribble the ball together, followed by a closely watched penalty shootout—three shots per team—to decide the winner of the specially instituted GOAT Cup.
Rahul Gandhi will then join the dignitaries, players and children for a group photograph. The focus will subsequently shift to the Tiki-Taka Children’s Clinics, scheduled between 8.17 p.m. and 8.32 p.m. During this time, four designated zones will come alive with Messi, Suarez, De Paul, the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi interacting with children, passing the ball, offering encouragement and sharing moments on the field. The clinic will culminate in a special penalty shootout with Messi, with organiser Anuttam Reddy donning the goalkeeper’s gloves.
During the felicitation ceremony, Messi will present the GOAT Cup to the winning team, while Rahul Gandhi will hand over the cup to the other participating team. The Chief Minister will honour Messi with a gift and shawl, and Parvathi Reddy along with others will felicitate Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
Messi is scheduled to leave the stadium at 9 p.m., bringing the tightly choreographed programme to a close. Officials said the detailed planning leaves no scope for disruptions, underscoring the administration’s focus on safety and order during the high-profile event.