The highly awaited "GOAT Tour to India 2025," featuring the football icon Lionel Messi, has become a zeitgeist for Indian football fans - not because of the star presence he brings along, but more so for the dramatic last-minute changes in venue.

What was initially planned as a four-city event has been remodeled for a truly pan-India presence, with Hyderabad stepping in after the initial, much-hyped Kerala friendly was called off.

Pan-India schedule: four corners covered

This itinerary ensures that the tour encompasses the four major geographical regions of the country so that people from all over get to see the World Cup-winning captain.

Region	City	Date (Tentative)	Venue
East	Kolkata	December 13, 2025	Salt Lake Stadium
South	Hyderabad	December 13, 2025	Gachibowli or RGI Stadium
West	Mumbai	December 14, 2025	Wankhede Stadium
North	New Delhi	December 15, 2025	Arun Jaitley Stadium

The tour will mark Messi's return to India after 14 years and is also expected to feature other Argentine stars and clubmates like Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.

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The Kerala Cancelation: A Southern Snub Avoided

The original plan had focused on a grand friendly in Kochi, Kerala, the state popularly regarded as the heartbeat of Indian football passion. The match, which was initially supposed to be between Argentina and a top international side like Australia, was scheduled for November 17.

The main reason that the organizers cited was the delay in receiving the required clearances and, thus, final approval for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

It clashed with the international calendar of football. Therefore, it was not easy for the full-strength Argentina squad.

The move disappointed millions of avid football fans across the South and created a public relations issue for the organizers.

Hyderabad to the Rescue: A Grand Extension

To make up for the loss of the southern leg and to make good on the promise of a pan-India event, tour organiser Satadru Dutta formally announced the inclusion of Hyderabad.

"I wanted to make it a pan-India event and now that the Kerala event is cancelled, South people are getting deprived of seeing Messi," the organiser confirmed. "South should also get an exposure to Messi."

What to Expect in Hyderabad?

Instead, the Hyderabad leg replaces a smaller, sponsor-focused event that was initially planned for Ahmedabad and promises to be a grander affair.

A celebratory soft-touch football match, probably featuring celebrities and football legends.
An exhibition match, a football masterclass for local kids, and a high-profile felicitation ceremony.
A special 'Meet and Greet' session for fans and VVIP ticket holders.

It is conceptualised to be a "tribute to millions of football fans in South India" so that the passion for the game emanating from this part of the country is rewarded and recognised.

Grand Events of the Tour

Beyond the disappointment of the Kerala cancellation, the rest of the tour is packed with star-studded events:

Kolkata (Dec 13): The tour kickoff will feature a "GOAT Concert," the GOAT Cup, and appearances by Indian sporting legends such as Sourav Ganguly and Bhaichung Bhutia.
Mumbai (Dec 14): This leg, at the Wankhede Stadium, is scheduled to have a Padel GOAT Cup, football masterclasses, and an expected star lineup featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar.
New Delhi (Dec 15): The tour will conclude in the capital with a meeting arranged between Messi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is to be followed by the final fan event.

Tickets for the events have gone on sale already via exclusive platforms and range from approximately INR 3,500 to INR 50,000 for different experiences.

The 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' has been unpredictable, like Messi running with the ball alone. The Kerala disappointment still hurts, but Hyderabad was added in quicker than expected to save the "pan-India" promise and make the second visit of the football god a memorable, if very dramatic, affair.

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