CM Revanth scores perfect political goal as Messi mesmerises in Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy scored what many in political circles believed was a perfect political goal, as global football icon Lionel Messi watched along with his boss and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who had once placed all his political faith in Revanth.

On the surface, it was a football spectacle in Hyderabad on Saturday evening (December 13, 2025). But underneath was a carefully calibrated political statement. By bringing Messi to Hyderabad and interacting with him on and off the field for over five hours, the Prime Minister envisioned Hyderabad as a safe, mature and truly global city that can host world-class events with discipline and dignity.

This wasn’t just a game where Messi casually rolled the ball and thrilled the crowd; it was also a match where Mr. Revanth Reddy positioned himself as the chief organizer and a determined striker, comfortably taking center stage. Positivity has increased at a time when violence in Kolkata has marred such public events.

As Rahul Gandhi looked on, Mr. Reddy made sure to share the limelight with his boss, cementing his emergence as the Congress party’s most visible and confident chief ministers.

The image of a sitting Prime Minister stepping onto the field and playing a friendly match with arguably the greatest footballer of all time was unthinkable in Indian politics until recently. But Mr. Reddy turned the unexpected into a spectacle inside and beyond the stadium.

The stakes were undeniably high. Any security lapse or organizational failure could have left a permanent black mark not only on Telangana’s global image but also on Mr. Reddy personally. Political rivals were quick to take advantage of any failure.

Much of the credit for the flawless execution went to Prime Minister’s close aide Rohin Reddy and event organizer Parvathi Reddy, who ensured the smooth flow of the programme. Equally important was the role of DGP Shivdhar Reddy, who reassured both participants and spectators in the process, which enhanced Hyderabad’s reputation as a safe global destination through meticulous security planning.

A touch of intrigue

It was a moment that caught the imagination of the country, as Rahul Gandhi and Lionel Messi were seen having a heated conversation. The curious crowd wondered what language they were chatting in. The two spoke in Spanish, according to sources close to the organisers. “Even we couldn’t understand what they were talking about, but it was clearly a foreign language,” one officer joked, adding some intrigue to the evening.