Messi’s Hyderabad visit aimed at promoting football, not a competitive match: Telangana DGP

This is not a full-fledged football match and people should not come with that assumption, said the Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy on Saturday (December 13, 2025), while reviewing security arrangements for football icon Lionel Messi’s visit to Hyderabad as part of the G.O.A.T India Tour 2025.

He said that Rachakonda police had put in place enhanced security measures for the programme scheduled at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, taking into account shortcomings reported during a similar event held recently in Kolkata.

He said issues related to enforcement and lack of clarity about the nature of the programme had been examined to avoid confusion and inconvenience to the public.

DGP Reddy clarified that Messi’s visit was intended to promote football and revive interest in the sport, and not to stage a competitive match. He said the programme would be brief and structured, lasting for about an hour.

According to the schedule shared by the police, Messi will take part in a short on-field interaction, including a brief kick about with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Between 7.30 p.m. and 7.55 p.m., he is expected to demonstrate basic football techniques to a group of children.

The programme will conclude with the Chief Minister felicitating Messi, followed by a tour of the stadium.

Police officials have appealed to the public to manage expectations and cooperate with security arrangements, stressing that the event should not be viewed as a full-scale football match.