Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Hyderabad Replaces Kerala as Messi's 'GOAT Tour' Stop After Kochi Fallout
Soccer star Lionel Messi is coming to India for a special tour called the 'GOAT Tour'.
Originally, a game was planned in Kerala, but it got canceled.
To make sure fans in the south still get to see Messi, the organizer, Satadru Dutta, has added Hyderabad as a new stop.
This tour will now visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Messi will arrive around December 12th or 13th.
His friends and teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, are also coming.
The tour will have fun events like celebrity soccer games, lessons for kids, and chances to meet Messi.
Tickets are selling fast, with many already sold out in Mumbai and New Delhi.
This is one of the biggest sports events ever planned for India.
Hyderabad has been added as a new stop on Lionel Messi's 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' following the cancellation of Argentina's friendly match in Kochi, Kerala.
The tour will now span all four corners of India: Kolkata (East), Hyderabad (South), Mumbai (West), and New Delhi (North).
Organizer Satadru Dutta stated Hyderabad was chosen to ensure fans in South India, including those in Kerala and Chennai, are not deprived of seeing Messi.
Messi is scheduled to arrive around December 12-13, 2025, and will be accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
The tour features celebrity matches, football clinics, meet-and-greet sessions, and will conclude with Messi meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
- Who
- Lionel Messi and his teammates, organized by Satadru Dutta
- What
- The 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' has added Hyderabad as a new stop, replacing a previously canceled event in Kerala. The tour will include celebrity matches, football clinics, and other fan engagement activities.
- When
- December 12-15, 2025
- Where
- India (Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi)
- Why
- To ensure fans in South India are not deprived of seeing Lionel Messi after the cancellation of a proposed friendly in Kerala, and to make the event a pan-India celebration.
Original Plan & Kerala Fallout
Revised GOAT Tour with Hyderabad
Southern India Coverage
Original Plan & Kerala Fallout
The cancellation of Argentina's friendly in Kochi left fans in Kerala and the broader South Indian region disappointed and potentially deprived of seeing Messi.
Revised GOAT Tour with Hyderabad
Adding Hyderabad as a new stop ensures South Indian fans, specifically mentioning those from Kerala and Chennai, will have an opportunity to see Messi during the tour.
Tour Itinerary
Original Plan & Kerala Fallout
The original plan included a stop in Kerala for a friendly match, which was postponed due to clearance delays and political controversy.
Revised GOAT Tour with Hyderabad
The revised itinerary includes Hyderabad in place of Ahmedabad (with Ahmedabad sponsors moving to Mumbai) to accommodate the southern leg and provide a more geographically balanced tour.
Event Scope
Original Plan & Kerala Fallout
The Kerala event was primarily described as a friendly match.
Revised GOAT Tour with Hyderabad
The Hyderabad leg is positioned as a grand celebration, extending the 'GOAT Cup' with a celebrity match, football clinic, and involving southern stars, aiming for a significant regional impact.
- Event Name
- GOAT Tour to India 2025
- Main Star
- Lionel Messi
- Organizer
- Satadru Dutta
- Planned Activities
- Celebrity football matches, musical events, meet-and-greet sessions, masterclasses for children, felicitation ceremonies
- Confirmed Cities
- Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi
- Messi's Arrival
- December 12/13
- Confirmed Companions
- Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul
Sources
Messi tour goes Pan-India; Hyderabad added after Kerala cancellation
GOAT Tour Grows: Lionel Messi To Visit Hyderabad As Part Of Mega Four-City Spectacle
South city added to itinerary as Messi tour goes Pan-India!
Messi Tour Goes Pan-India; Hyd Added After Kerala Cancellation
Lionel Messi's 'GOAT Tour to India 2025’ extends to Hyderabad as nation prepares to welcome legendary footballer
Hyderabad replaces Ahmedabad in Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’
Messi tour goes Pan-India; Hyderabad added after Kerala cancellation
Satadru Dutta: The Man Bringing Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour 2 to India
