(Our Sports Correspondent)
Hyderabad is preparing for a sporting moment that will echo far beyond the confines of a stadium. When football’s greatest modern icon, Lionel Messi, steps into the city on December 13 as part of his GOAT Tour, he will not merely be playing to the galleries—he will be stepping onto soil that once defined Indian football’s golden age.
Messi’s confirmation on Instagram electrified fans across the country: “Thanks for all the love from India! The GOAT tour kicks off in a few weeks! I’m happy to share that Hyderabad has been added to my visits to Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. See you soon, India!” The post was vintage Messi—humble, grateful, and instantly catalytic. Within minutes, Hyderabad erupted with excitement.
His visit will feature a 7-a-side celebrity match, a masterclass with scouted young talents, nail-biting penalty shootouts, a musical tribute, and a felicitation ceremony. Accompanying him will be global stars like Rodrigo de Paul, Luis Suárez, and a constellation of celebrity guests. Yet, beyond the spectacle lies a deeper cultural significance: the world’s greatest footballer is returning attention to a city that once stood at the very heart of Indian football.
Hyderabad: The Forgotten Cradle of Indian Football
Many younger fans today may associate Hyderabad only with cricketing struggles or the rise of badminton. But from the 1940s to the 1960s, Hyderabad was to Indian football what Sao Paulo is to Brazil—a fertile nursery of extraordinary talent.
In the tiny area of Ammuguda, barely a few square kilometres, a staggering six players were selected for India’s squads for the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. That 1956 Olympic team famously finished fourth—the greatest achievement in Indian football history.
Among Hyderabad’s legends were:
- T. Krishnaswamy “Thangaraj”, one of India’s finest goalkeepers
- Yousuf Khan, the midfield general often called the “Beckenbauer of India.”
- Peter Thangaraj’s contemporary, Anthony Patrick
- Syed Nayeemuddin, future India captain and Dronacharya Award winner
- Mohd. Zulfiqaruddin, star of the Melbourne Olympics
- S. Habeeb and N. P. Singh, both Olympians
- And the iconic T. Balaram, one of the finest forwards India has ever produced
These were men who trained on mud grounds, played with stitched-up leather balls, and still matched the world’s best in speed, stamina, and skill. In their time, Hyderabad was a global football hub, producing Olympians at a rate unmatched by any Indian city.
Why Messi’s Visit Matters
For today’s young aspirants—in a city where football infrastructure has withered, and cricket monopolises attention—Lionel Messi’s arrival is nothing short of a rebirth moment. Seeing the world’s greatest footballer, not on a screen but in flesh and blood, does more than inspire—it ignites belief.
Messi is not merely a star; he is a phenomenon of perseverance, humility, and genius. To watch him demonstrate ball control, talk about discipline, or guide young talents through a masterclass could shape the next generation of Hyderabad’s footballers. In a city longing to rediscover its sporting soul, Messi’s presence is the spark the ecosystem desperately needs.
Who Deserves Credit?
Whether this visit becomes a long-term catalyst depends on what Hyderabad’s institutions do next. It is easy for governments to bask in a momentary glow, but what young players need is sustained infrastructure—grassroots leagues, coaching centres, scouting pathways.
The organisers of the GOAT Tour deserve credit for bringing Messi to a city that often gets overshadowed by India’s traditional football centres. But it is ultimately the Telangana government and sporting bodies that must capitalise on this historic moment by reviving football academies, restoring heritage grounds, and forging global partnerships.
A Moment That Must Not Be Wasted
On December 13, when Messi waves to screaming fans at Hyderabad, it will be more than a superstar greeting a stadium. It will be a bridge between the city’s glorious past and its neglected present—a reminder that Hyderabad once dominated Indian football and, with the right vision, can rise again.
For thousands of young dreamers, Messi’s arrival is an invitation: Your city was once great. It can be great again. And you could be the reason.
