Govt Not Organising Messi Match: Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has extended invitations to AICC leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to attend the ‘friendly match’ between his team and global football icon Lionel Messi, scheduled to take place at the Uppal stadium on Saturday.

Messi will be in Hyderabad as part of the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’.

According to official sources, Revanth Reddy conveyed the invitation during his meeting with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday night in Delhi at a private event hosted at the residence of Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar. The Chief Minister briefed them that Messi would be participating in a special programme organised by a private organisation and clarified that although he had been invited as Chief Minister, the state government was not involved in organising the event.

Revanth Reddy added that given the stature of the visiting sports legend, the government was extending support to ensure smooth conduct of the programme.

As part of Messi’s Hyderabad tour, the football legend will join the Chief Minister, alongside several national and international players, in a special match at the Uppal stadium. The event is expected to draw significant attention from sports enthusiasts across the country.

Meanwhile, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday congratulated Revanth Reddy on unveiling the Telangana Rising Vision 2047 document. They commended the Chief Minister for presenting a comprehensive long-term development roadmap for India’s youngest state.

Revanth Reddy met both leaders at their residences in Delhi on Thursday and apprised them of the successful conduct of the two-day Telangana Rising Global Summit held at Bharat Future City, where the Vision 2047 document was released in the presence of global investors, industry leaders and business delegations.

The AICC leaders expressed delight over Telangana securing major investment commitments worth ₹5.75 lakh crore during the summit and signing multiple agreements with domestic and international companies. They lauded the state government’s efforts to position the state as a preferred global investment hub.

Several MPs, including Suresh Shetkar, M. Anil Kumar, P. Balaram Naik, Dr Mallu Ravi, K. Raghuveer Reddy and Gaddam Vamshi Krishna, along with minister Vivek Venkatswamy, met the Chief Minister in Parliament premises on Thursday and conveyed their appreciation for the state’s successful hosting of the global summit and the inflow of large-scale investments.

Earlier in the day, Revanth Reddy paid floral tributes to former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. The Chief Minister recalled Pranab Mukherjee as a statesman who dedicated several decades to public service and contributed immensely to national governance.

Minister Venkatswamy, MPs Mallu Ravi, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Gaddam Vamshi, Anil Kumar Yadav and several senior leaders were present at the event.