By Kavita Mistry 
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Messi is set to visit the tech city for the high-profile match being organised to mark the second anniversary of the Congress government in Telangana.
The 56-year-old, a known football enthusiast, was also seen making a few kicks and passing the ball during the session. (Photo: X)
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is gearing up for a rare crossover between politics and world football — an exhibition match against legend Lionel Messi in Hyderabad next week.
Messi, widely regarded as the GOAT of the game, is set to visit the tech city for the high-profile match being organised to mark the second anniversary of the Congress government in Telangana. As part of the programme, Revanth Reddy’s team “Revanth Reddy 9″ will lock horns with Messi’s side “Lionel Messi 10″ on December 13 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The Chief Minister will wear Jersey number 9, and Messi his famous jersey number 10. Selected players from government schools are likely to be part of ‘RR9’ team.
Ahead of the big match, the Chief Minister joined a practice session on Monday along with officials and coaching staff. In a video shared by the news agency PTI, Revanth Reddy was seen wearing an Arsenal jersey and football boots. The 56-year-old, a known football enthusiast, was also seen making a few kicks and passing the ball during the session.
VIDEO | Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday practiced at the MCHRD Grounds ahead of the exhibition football match scheduled for December 13, where he is expected to participate in an event involving Lionel Messi’s team.The Chief Minister took part in the practice… pic.twitter.com/qE8DfnmPoy
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 2, 2025
The Chief Minister trains for 45 minutes every day to prepare himself for the friendly match.
In a post on X, Reddy said he stepped onto the football field with the strategic intent of showcasing the “Telangana Rising – 2047″ vision more strongly to the world from the sporting arena.
“Sporting spirit… Telangana’s pride… I have begun practising to take part in a football match with world-renowned footballer Messi on the 13th of this month. With the strategic intent of showcasing the “Telangana Rising – 2047″ vision more strongly to the world from the sporting arena, and with Messi’s support, I personally stepped onto the football field,” he wrote.
క్రీడా స్ఫూర్తి…తెలంగాణ కీర్తి…ఈ నెల 13 న ప్రపంచ ప్రముఖ ఫుట్ బాల్ క్రీడాకారుడు మెస్సీ తో ఫుట్ బాల్ క్రీడలో పాల్గొనేందుకు ప్రాక్టీస్ ప్రారంభించాను. “తెలంగాణ రైజింగ్ – 2047″ విజన్ ను క్రీడా వేదిక నుండి మెస్సీ సహకారంతో ప్రపంచానికి మరింతగా పరిచయం చేయాలన్న వ్యూహాత్మక ఆలోచన… pic.twitter.com/kWL43FtOMB— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) December 1, 2025
This isn’t the Chief Minister’s first brush with the sport. Last year, he played a friendly football match with students at the University of Hyderabad.
The Argentine superstar will arrive in Hyderabad after Kolkata as part of the “GOAT Tour To India 2025″, adding to the buzz around what promises to be a unique sporting spectacle in the city.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has said Telangana’s Vision-2047 will be showcased during the friendly match.
The government has made elaborate arrangements for ‘Telangana Rising 2047 Global Summit’ scheduled to be held at Bharat Future City on December 8 and 9. Telangana’s Vision 2047 document will be unveiled during the event to be attended by global leaders and achievers in various fields.
As sports and tourism are key components of the vision, Messi’s visit is expected to add more significance to the grand celebrations.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 02, 2025, 13:53 IST
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