CM Revanth Reddy thanks Lionel Messi as GOAT India tour wows Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday expressed his gratitude to Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul for enthralling football fans , especially the youth, during the second leg of the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ held in Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister said the event, organised at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday evening , was a grand success, citing meticulous planning, effective coordination and disciplined conduct by the audience. Thanking the players for accepting the state’s invitation and visiting Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy said the presence of global football icons had created unforgettable memories for sports lovers in Telangana.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister also thanked senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for attending the programme and making the evening truly memorable. He noted that the event helped project Telangana’s identity to the world as a state that promotes sports, talent and warm hospitality.

Revanth Reddy congratulated officials, security personnel, organisers and staff for ensuring the smooth conduct of the programme, and thanked fans for maintaining discipline throughout the event.

The packed stadium witnessed Messi mesmerising spectators with his footballing skills. The event also featured the ‘GOAT Cup’ penalty shootout involving Messi, Suárez and De Paul, in which the Chief Minister himself participated, sporting a football kit. A football clinic for children was organised, followed by a felicitation ceremony attended by Rahul Gandhi, marking a fitting finale to the high-profile sporting event.