Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated India tour got off to a dramatically disruptive start in Kolkata on Saturday as thousands of passionate football supporters erupted in anger after the Argentinian superstar’s brief and poorly managed appearance at Salt Lake Stadium. What was billed as a marquee event for fans across the country quickly disintegrated into chaos, with spectators ripping up seats, hurling chairs and bottles onto the pitch and invading the field in frustration at what they described as a disappointing spectacle far short of expectations.
The trouble began shortly after Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the stadium in the early afternoon. Fans had queued from the morning, some reportedly paying between ₹3,800 and ₹11,800 for tickets to see the global icon, only to witness him emerge from the tunnel and remain surrounded by VIPs and dignitaries, making visibility from the stands difficult. Numerous attendees said Messi did not kick a ball or meaningfully interact with the crowd before being escorted off the field after barely 20 minutes—far shorter than the planned schedule.
Discontent quickly escalated into outright disorder. Spectators began to hurl water bottles and ripped stadium bucket seats over fences toward the pitch, with some climbing onto the field itself. Makeshift tents and goalposts were damaged, and metal barriers gave way under the strain of a furious crowd. Videos shared on social media showed the dramatic scenes of destruction as anger spread through the stands, leaving security personnel scrambling to regain control.
Authorities struggled to contain the situation for more than an hour, with Kolkata police and senior officials on the ground working to calm the thousands of fans. Local organisers faced immediate backlash: the chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained by police and later had his bail plea rejected, with law enforcement officials reviewing CCTV footage and indicating that additional arrests could follow as part of the investigation into the event’s management.
The disorder drew political attention as well. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was en route to the stadium when the tensions mounted, issued a public apology to Messi and to disappointed fans, saying she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the mismanagement. She announced a formal inquiry to assign responsibility and recommend measures to prevent similar episodes at future large-scale events.
Fans at the stadium expressed their disillusionment bluntly, with many calling the experience a waste of time and money. Several described feeling cheated after spending significant sums on tickets only to have their view obstructed by VIP entourages, and complained that promised attractions—such as additional celebrity appearances—never materialised. One fan even told news agencies he and others had saved for years to attend, only to see Messi briefly before chaos ensued.
Despite the rocky Kolkata start, Messi’s GOAT India Tour was reported to have continued in other cities, with events in Hyderabad and Mumbai going ahead with fewer reported issues. In Hyderabad, Messi engaged in football activities and public interactions, and in Delhi later events featured positive fan engagement and celebratory moments.
The Kolkata incident has sparked a broader conversation about event organisation and crowd management in India’s sporting landscape, particularly for high-demand international stars. As authorities probe what went wrong, disappointed supporters and critics alike are calling for greater accountability to ensure that the passion of fans is met with professional and safe event planning—a lesson underscored by one of football’s biggest names finding his visit overshadowed by unrest rather than the celebration it was meant to be.
