Political battle over Messi: BJP's taunt on Rahul's meeting, will the fan watch from a distance?

New Delhi: Lionel Messi, considered among the world’s greatest footballers, came to India, but his visit is being discussed more about politics than football. First in Kolkata, now in Hyderabad and now a political battle has erupted over the pictures of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy with Messi. BJP has raised questions about whether Messi has come for the general audience or just to fit in the camera frame of the leaders?

Where Congress is looking at it by linking it with the respect of India and sports. BJP alleges that this entire event became a kind of VIP photoshoot. The debate has intensified on social media whether the common fan, who bought the ticket, just stood behind the barricade?

What is the whole matter?

Argentina’s star footballer Lionel Messi has come to India under GOAT India Tour 2025. Rahul Gandhi met Messi in a program held at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. Messi presented him a signed jersey and the two had a brief conversation. Rahul Gandhi also shared the video of this meeting on Instagram.

During this time, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was also present and he played football with Messi on the field for some moments. As soon as the pictures and videos surfaced, political reactions intensified.

Messi’s next stop is Mumbai

Why did BJP raise questions?

BJP leaders say that this trend was seen earlier in Kolkata also. Thousands of spectators returned disappointed, while VVIPs were seen taking selfies around Messi. According to BJP, the same pattern was seen in Hyderabad as was seen in Kolkata, with the common fan at the back and the leader at the front. BJP’s taunt is that Congress is trying to show that Messi is with the best footballers of India. Whereas the ground reality is that even the common audience is not getting proper access.

What is the answer of Congress?

Congress has completely rejected BJP’s allegations. The party says that Messi has come to India and it is a proud moment for the sports lovers of the country. Rahul Gandhi’s meeting has been described as a common courtesy. Congress leaders say that dragging politics everywhere is not only shameful but also ridiculous.

Argentina’s star footballer Lionel Messi has come to India under GOAT India Tour 2025.

Controversy started from Kolkata

The first leg of Messi’s GOAT Tour took place in Kolkata, but the situation there went out of control. Many of the approximately 50 thousand spectators did not even get a glimpse of Messi. High ticket prices, failure of crowd management and VVIP culture increased the resentment. Bottles, chairs and even food packets were thrown.

Now look at Mumbai

Messi’s next stop is Mumbai, where the police have made strict security arrangements. There will be a ban on water bottles, coins and metal items. The question is whether this time the focus will be on sports or will politics dominate once again? It is historic for a global icon like Messi to come to India, but will this opportunity be sacrificed for politics? Will the common fan be limited to just cheering from a distance, while the headlines will capture the pictures of the leaders?