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New Delhi: While the first leg of the India Goat Tour 2025 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata turned utterly chaotic, the second leg on Saturday evening in the disciplined city of Hyderabad culminated the hectic day on a happy note for Lionel Messi.
The Argentina football star, who is in India for three days for the much-anticipated tour, was welcomed by the 'City of Pearls' in a much disciplined manner and with total restraint, unlike Kolkata. From the moment Messi landed in the city, the entire management seemed to be exquisite with no room for error.
Despite being escorted by scores of security people since the star footballer landed in the city, it was vividly visible that the football icon could breathe, unlike in the City of Joy, where he seemed to be gasping for breathe. While the Kolkata leg turned out to be a nightmare for Messi and his fans, he seemed to be elated in Hyderabad.
From the moment Lionel Messi landed in the city along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, everything seemed to be joyous. The star players' were escorted to the Taj Falaknuma Palace hotel were they rested for an hour approximately before heading to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium after a half an hour of drive.
Messi along with his teammates played football with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and alos interacted with some young football enthusiasts who were present in the stadium. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also reached the venue to catch a glimpse of the football superstar after which Messi was finally felicitated.
Messi cheered up the crowds after kicking a ball straight into the stands which delighted the fans making their day. Later, Messi, Suarez and de Paul sent a special message to the crowd in Hyderabad, thanking them for their love and affection.
'I am very happy to be in Hyderabad in the midst of all the love and affection shown by you all,' Messi said through a translator while addressing the crowd.
Earlier, the Kolkata leg turned out to be a nightmare for all the stakeholders including, the iconic football player, who had to forcefully make an early exit from the stadium due to the presence of some unruly elements and mismanagement which led to chaos.
Mumbai happens to be the next destination for the football star where he will head tomorrow with the event culminating in elhi on Monday.
