A public appearance by football legend Lionel Messi in India ended in chaos after frustrated fans began throwing chairs and bottles inside Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
Thousands of supporters had gathered at the venue, many paying ticket prices as high as ₹12,000, hoping to see the Argentine star up close. However, disappointment quickly spread when Messi appeared only briefly, walking around the pitch while being closely surrounded by officials, celebrities, and heavy security.
After around 20 minutes, Messi was escorted out of the stadium, triggering anger among sections of the crowd. Some fans tore up seating, damaged banners and tents, and hurled plastic chairs and water bottles toward the field.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident.
GOAT Tour Draws Massive Crowds
Messi is currently visiting India as part of his promotional “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Tour,” which includes planned appearances in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
The tour began in Kolkata with the unveiling of a massive 70-foot statue of Messi, built over 27 days by a team of 45 workers. Due to security concerns, Messi attended the unveiling virtually.
Despite this, thousands of fans traveled to Salt Lake Stadium wearing Messi jerseys, chanting his name, and holding “I Love Messi” headbands, hoping for a memorable experience.
Fans Felt Misled
Several fans expressed frustration after the event ended abruptly. Many said they expected Messi to play a short exhibition match, as had been widely anticipated.
“We paid ₹12,000 but couldn’t even see his face properly,” one attendee told local media. Another fan said he spent a month’s salary to bring his son, only to feel ignored. “We came to see Messi, not politicians,” he said, blaming event organizers and security arrangements.
Reports also claimed that police, military personnel, and event officials were taking selfies near Messi, further blocking fans’ views.
High-Profile Guests and Growing Discontent
Messi was accompanied by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul during his brief visit. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan also met Messi earlier in the day.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is known for its passionate football culture, with massive crowds regularly attending local club derbies despite cricket being India’s most popular sport.
While the event attracted huge attention, the disorder raised questions about crowd management and expectations surrounding celebrity sports tours in India.