The Hyderabad leg of Lionel Messi's GOAT tour proved to be a world of a difference from the mayhem-filled inaugural affair in Kolkata. For the capacity gathering at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, it was a much better and worthwhile experience on Saturday night.
Coming into Hyderabad, expectations had been modest following the missteps of the show in Kolkata. But the organisers seemed to have taken some important lessons on board to make for a much better crowd control, access for spectators, and calmness inside the stadium.
The evening began with a friendly match between the Revanth Reddy 9s and Aparna All-Stars, which set a very leisurely tone. Just minutes after the kickoff, the decibel levels shot up, indicating the grand entry of Messi and his entourage.
While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was already at the venue, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy soon joined the proceedings and even managed to score in the friendly as his side took a 4-0 lead.
Play was halted to make way for Messi, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul, who entered the ground to loud cheers. Unlike Kolkata, where Messi was quickly engulfed by security and VIPs, Hyderabad offered a much clearer view. The Chief Minister was personally seen ensuring that no one crowded the football legend as he walked onto the pitch, allowing fans in the stands uninterrupted sightlines.
What followed was a series of fan-friendly moments that had been conspicuously absent earlier in the tour. Messi and his teammates participated in light kickabouts with the Chief Minister and children on the field, interacting freely and smiling. These were not brief, token gestures; Messi completed multiple laps of honour around the stadium, acknowledging supporters and soaking in the atmosphere.
Messi and his teammates kicked footballs into the stands, providing a handful of fans with keepsakes from what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The gestures met with loud applause and chants, reinforcing the sense that Hyderabad had delivered the kind of football celebration supporters had hoped for. Rahul Gandhi was also seen having a brief interaction with Messi during the presentation ceremony.
The evening concluded with a presentation ceremony, during which Messi addressed the crowd in Spanish, thanking them for their enduring affection and support.
"I just wanted to thank you for the love today and always. Honestly, I saw many things before arriving here, throughout all this time, during the last World Cup. And well, thank you very much for all the affection. It’s an honor for us to be able to share these days here in India with you. So I’m very grateful. Thank you very much," Messi said, referencing the support he felt during Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
In contrast to the disorder and disappointment experienced in Kolkata, Hyderabad successfully marked a reset for the GOAT tour.
Also read: Messi event: Mamata apologises for chaos, organiser arrested
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