Hyderabad, Dec 12 (LatestNewsX) – The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is slated to attend the football legend Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT India tour’ event on December 13 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Gandhi will observe a friendly showdown between a side captained by Messi and one led by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
During a recent visit to Delhi, Rajeshwar Chief Minister Revanth Reddy invited Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to join the match, raising expectations for a high‑profile gathering. Security agencies are gearing up for an hour‑long event on Saturday night, with thousands of fans eager to catch Messi in action on the field.
A robust security blueprint has been drawn up to accommodate an estimated 39,000 spectators. Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu has announced that only ticket holders will gain entrance, while 2,500 officers will be deployed around the stadium. Traffic restrictions are also in place on roads surrounding the busy Uppal area to aid crowd control.
Messi is expected to land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 pm, subsequently traveling to the Taj Falaknuma Hotel to attend a pre‑match program before heading to the venue. After the game, he will return to the hotel for the night.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has been rigorously training with local footballers over the past days, preparing his squad, which will field the RR9 jersey, to face Messi, who will maintain his iconic Messi10. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu B. Vikramarka anticipates that thousands of football fans will attend, urging early arrivals and orderly seating for safety and convenience. Dedicated routes have been set for Messi, Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, ministers, and other VIPs.
Vikramarka explained that the match is part of the “Telangana Rising” celebrations, noting that Messi has expressed genuine interest in contributing to the festival. IT Minister Sridhar Babu highlighted that Messi’s visit extends beyond a friendly match, underscoring a social cause.
The state government plans to recruit the global football icon as the ambassador for its ‘Telangana Rising’ initiative, aiming to showcase Telangana’s dynamism in sports, tourism, investment, and youth outreach.
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