Kolkata, India – Scenes of chaos and unrest erupted at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata today after Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi made an abrupt exit, just 10 minutes after appearing at the stadium, during the first leg of his GOAT India Tour. Thousands of fans, many of whom had paid hefty sums ranging from ₹4,500 to ₹10,000 for tickets, expressed their disappointment and anger when Messi was escorted away under heavy security.
The 38-year-old World Cup winner's visit to Kolkata was part of a highly anticipated three-day tour across four Indian cities. The tour was scheduled to include public appearances, cultural events, and celebrity football exhibitions. Excitement had been building since Messi's arrival in the city early Saturday morning, with exuberant fans chanting his name and waving Argentinian flags.
However, the atmosphere inside the Salt Lake Stadium quickly turned sour. Eyewitnesses reported that Messi's planned lap of the stadium never materialized as he was immediately swarmed by politicians, officials, celebrities, and an overwhelming number of paparazzi. The congestion around Messi became so intense that his security team was forced to abandon the lap, significantly limiting his interaction with the wider crowd.
Tensions escalated when fans realized that Messi would not stay long. Soon after his departure, a section of the crowd lost their cool, hurling bottles and chairs and vandalizing stadium property. Visuals circulating on social media showed agitated fans, damaged signage, and objects being thrown onto the field. Some fans broke barricades and invaded the central area of the stadium, vandalizing temporary structures and tents. Fibreglass seats were also damaged. Police intervened to try and control the situation. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was eventually deployed.
Many fans felt cheated, claiming that they did not even get a clear glimpse of the football icon despite paying premium prices. They questioned the planning and access arrangements for the event. Some reports suggest that organizers were more focused on taking photos and videos than managing the crowd.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has apologized for the mismanagement and has formed an enquiry committee to investigate the incident and prevent future occurrences. The main organizer of the event, Satadru Dutta, has been arrested by Kolkata Police.
Messi has left for Hyderabad, where he is scheduled to participate in a brief exhibition match and attend a musical concert. His tour will continue in Mumbai and New Delhi.
