Those who could not make it to the stadium stayed glued to television or watched the proceedings on their cellphones with an intensity that is reserved for India-Pakistan cricket matches.
Hyderabad: The historic Falaknuma Palace once again hit the limelight when one of its most famous guests, football icon Lionel Messi, checked in on Friday along with his team, also featuring the famous Luis Suarez.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi went to the palace, now a hotel, to meet Messi before they headed out to their match at the Uppal stadium.
Sources said that Messi travelled with his chef, though the hotel had spread out its traditional delicacies for the guests. Messi and his team will stay overnight at the palace.
It was expected that Messi would use the 101-seater dining table, a renowned possession of the hotel that was once used by US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
Sources said several dignitaries had lined up at the hotel for a meet-and-greet with Messi, after paying at least `10 lakh per session.
Outside and in the hotel premises, security was tight and visible. Football fans stayed for long hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the game’s foremost players. Members of local football clubs in the Old City wore Argentina jerseys and stood along the road to the hotel, hoping to catch the attention of Messi.
Those who could not make it to the stadium stayed glued to television or watched the proceedings on their cellphones with an intensity that is reserved for India-Pakistan cricket matches.
