The historic Falaknuma Palace was once again the centre of attention on Friday as global football legend Lionel Messi checked in with his team, including star striker Luis Suárez.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the palace—now a luxury hotel—to meet Messi before heading to the evening event at Uppal Stadium.

According to sources, Messi arrived with his personal chef, although the palace had prepared an elaborate spread of its signature Hyderabadi delicacies for the superstar and his entourage.

Messi and his team are expected to stay overnight in the palace’s opulent suites.

There was also anticipation that Messi might dine at the iconic 101-seater dining table, a treasured feature of the palace, famously used in the past by dignitaries

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