After a chaotic and disappointing opening leg of the GOAT Tour of India in Kolkata, Hyderabad offered a sharp and striking contrast, one that underlined how planning and crowd management can define a global sporting event.
Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on a private jet after the Salt Lake Stadium episode in Kolkata left fans and organisers facing uncomfortable questions. What unfolded in the Telangana capital on Saturday evening, however, was a reminder of what the event was always meant to be: controlled, celebratory and fan-first.
Messi, accompanied by close associates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, entered the stadium at around 7:30 pm but did not immediately walk onto the pitch. With an exhibition match already underway, the football icon waited inside, avoiding unnecessary disruption. His first appearance came from the VIP box, a moment that sent the packed stadium into raptures as chants echoed in unison.
Messi was not swarmed by officials, politicians or camera crew. Once the first half concluded, he stepped onto the pitch, met the players and briefly interacted with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who also participated in the exhibition match. From there, Messi was allowed space, something noticeably absent in Kolkata.
For close to an hour, the World Cup winner moved freely around the stadium, waving to spectators, acknowledging all sections of the crowd and soaking in the atmosphere. The focus remained firmly on him, not on entourages or optics. Fans were able to see what they had paid for.
As planned, Messi later took part in a youth clinic, sharing moments with young players and even exchanging passes with the Chief Minister. The evening continued seamlessly, with Messi presenting the trophy to the exhibition match winner before being felicitated by Revanth Reddy with a memento.
“Thank you to all the fans. I am very happy to be here in Hyderabad with all of you,” Messi said in Spanish, his words translated for the crowd. The response was instant and heartfelt.
The contrast with Kolkata was stark. At Salt Lake Stadium, Messi’s on-field presence lasted barely 20-25 minutes and throughout that time he remained encircled by nearly 100 to 150 people, severely restricting visibility and fuelling frustration among spectators. In Hyderabad, he was visible and central, exactly as fans had hoped.
Hyderabad’s execution did not rely on spectacle alone. It relied on discipline, timing and a clear understanding of crowd psychology.
Also Read: Messi event felt like a scam
