Lionel Messi to Stay at Falaknuma Palace During Hyderabad Visit

Hyderabad | December 11, 2025 | DeccanLive.com

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi will stay at the iconic Falaknuma Palace during his much-awaited visit to Hyderabad. The palace, located in the Old City, is known for hosting global celebrities and dignitaries.

According to officials, Messi will travel directly from Shamshabad Airport to the Taj Falaknuma Palace on Saturday. From there, he will head to the Uppal Stadium, where he is scheduled to play a friendly match with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. After the match, Messi and his team will return to the palace and are expected to meet selected prominent guests.

Built in 1894 by the Nizam and converted into a luxury hotel in 2010, Falaknuma Palace has a history of hosting high-profile events. Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan’s wedding was held here in 2014, and in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Ivanka Trump at the same palace. Now, with Messi staying here, its fame is set to reach the international sports community as well.

Messi will spend Saturday night at the palace and is expected to leave for the airport directly from there on Sunday. Officials say there are unlikely to be any changes in his schedule due to security reasons.

Hyderabad and Rachakonda Commissioners V.C. Sajjanar and G. Sudheer Babu, along with City Traffic Chief D. Joel Davis, are personally supervising the security arrangements. With Messi, his team, the Chief Minister, and several VIPs moving in and out of the stadium, traffic officials are preparing detailed plans to ensure smooth movement. Only those with valid passes or tickets will be allowed near the stadium.

Hyderabad is gearing up for one of its most high-profile sporting visits, and the excitement among fans is already at its peak.