A promotional tour stop for football superstar Lionel Messi in Kolkata, India, ended in chaos and vandalism after his brief appearance severely disappointed thousands of paying fans. The incident occurred at Salt Lake Stadium, a major venue in the city known for its intense football following within the cricket-dominant nation.
Thousands of adoring supporters had traveled great distances and paid exorbitant prices, with some tickets costing up to 12,000 rupees (about $133). Many attendees claimed the ticket price represented a month’s salary. Fans gathered in the stadium under the expectation that the World Cup winner might participate in a short exhibition match, an expectation fueled by local media reports.
The disappointment began when the Inter Miami and Argentina forward finally emerged. Instead of a clear view, the football star was quickly surrounded and obscured by a large entourage of officials and local celebrities. Fans loudly expressed their frustration, stating that they paid to see Messi, not political figures or actors. One angry ticket holder complained to the Indian news agency ANI that leaders and actors were surrounding the player, making it impossible for paying spectators to even see his face.
The situation turned hostile when Messi, accompanied by teammate Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, was abruptly whisked away by security after only about twenty minutes. The crowd, realizing the appearance had concluded, became enraged. Frustrated elements of the audience stormed the pitch, vandalizing banners and tents. Others hurled plastic chairs, water bottles, and other debris toward the playing area, resulting in visible damage to the stadium seating.
West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, expressed her deep shock and disturbance over the violent turn of events. She quickly announced a formal enquiry into the incident. The chief minister apologized to both Messi and local “sports lovers,” stating that the investigation would determine responsibility and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
Authorities later confirmed the arrest of the event’s “chief organizer,” though specific details remain scarce. They also committed to investigating how refunds could be processed for ticket holders. A spokesperson for Messi stated that the player had fully satisfied the time commitment outlined in his advance agreement. They referred all inquiries about the event’s organization to the public apology issued by Banerjee. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed it had no involvement in organizing the “private event.” The incident casts a shadow over Messi’s multi-city “GOAT tour” across India, which began earlier with the virtual unveiling of a massive 70-foot statue of the star in Kolkata.
