When Messi Came Calling: Hype, Hope And A Rs 10-Lakh Selfie

In Hyderabad, interest in the 10-lakh meet-and-greet at Falaknuma Palace was reportedly softer than expected, with many reluctant to pay the premium. Organisers reached out widely, but the city that loves freebies, few were willing to shell out Rs 10 lakh. Even so, Messi’s fleeting appearance still set pulses racing, revealing a passionate — if niche — football fanbase in a city where cricket usually rules the scoreboard.

Blink and you miss

Messi’s brief Salt Lake Stadium appearance was cut short as heavy security kept him out of view, sparking fan frustration and an early exit.

70-foot tribute

Kolkata, the tour’s first stop, saw Messi unveil a towering 70-foot iron statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club, Lake Town — a larger-than-life tribute completed in just 40 days, with the World Cup trophy firmly in his grasp.

When King Khan met the GOAT

In a clip that went viral, Shah Rukh Khan, with son AbRam, shook hands with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, grabbed a lightning-fast photo, and moved on — proof that even royalty gets just a quick click when the GOAT is on a tight schedule.

Star power, aspirations intact

Football buffs and clubs saw the Messi-Revanth Reddy appearance as a chance to boost the game locally. The GOAT’s return to India after 14 years revived hopes of footballing glory — in Hyderabad and beyond — however aspirational.

AI clicked. Rs 10 lakh saved

Lionel Messi arrived in India for his GOAT Tour, but the `10-lakh price tag for a meet-and-greet selfie took the edge off the frenzy. Fans responded with humour, joking that AI tools could deliver a “Messi selfie” for free — or that a flight to Argentina might cost less. As the tour rolled through multiple cities, social media filled with AI-generated “Messi moments”, offering bragging rights without the queues or the bill.