KOLKATA, India – What was sold as a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Indian football fans turned into anger and destruction on Saturday. Lionel Messi’s much-hyped appearance at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) lasted barely 20 minutes, leaving thousands of supporters furious. Many could hardly see him, tempers flared, and sections of the stadium were vandalised. Police later stepped in and detained the chief organiser.
Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, arrived in India as part of his “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour 2025”, a multi-city promotional event. The Kolkata stop was advertised as a 45-minute stadium appearance, with fans expecting to watch the Inter Miami star walk around the pitch, wave to the crowd, and share the stage with Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
What actually happened felt very different. Surrounded by a tight ring of security staff, VIPs, and officials, Messi stayed in the middle of a large group for most of his time on the pitch. Many fans, especially those in the upper tiers, said they could barely catch a clear glimpse of him, even after paying high ticket prices.
After roughly 20 minutes, Messi was hurried away from the field, reportedly due to security concerns. The sudden exit, combined with the already poor visibility, proved too much for many in the stands.
Anger Spills Over Into Violence
Witnesses described the scene that followed as chaos. Videos on social media showed fans rushing towards the pitch, tearing down banners, and ripping up plastic seats. Some supporters climbed over barriers and fences. Others damaged goal nets and hurled broken seats and bottles towards the field. Small fires were seen in parts of the stands.
“We paid to see Messi, not a crowd of security guards and politicians taking selfies,” one fan told local reporters. Another supporter, who had travelled many hours to attend, said, “Messi left so quickly, it looked like he felt unsafe. I hardly saw him.”
Police eventually used batons to push back angry groups and regain control. There were no reports of serious injuries, but the 85,000-capacity stadium suffered heavy damage, with broken chairs scattered across the pitch and the running track.
Police Step In, Organiser Detained
In the aftermath, West Bengal Police detained Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the tour’s Kolkata leg, after mounting criticism of how the event was handled. Director General Rajeev Kumar confirmed the detention and said that Dutta had given a written promise to refund all ticket buyers.
“We’re taking action so that this mismanagement does not go unpunished,” Kumar told journalists. Police officers reportedly picked Dutta up at Kolkata airport as he was seeing off Messi’s group.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was on her way to the stadium when the trouble started, expressed her shock and issued a public apology. On X, she wrote, “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.” She ordered a high-level inquiry into how the event was run.
The state’s governor, C. V. Ananda Bose, went a step further and called for Dutta’s immediate arrest, full refunds for fans, and compensation for all damage caused to the stadium.
High Prices Add To The Messi Backlash
Ticket prices became a central point of anger. Seats started at around 3,500 rupees (about 39 dollars) and went up to 12,000 rupees (about 133 dollars) for premium spots. For many families, that is more than half of a typical weekly income in India.
Supporters felt badly let down after spending so much money in a cricket-obsessed country where stars like Messi rarely visit. “We bought a 12,000-rupee ticket and still could not even see his face,” a frustrated fan told ANI news agency.
This was Messi’s first trip to India since he captained Argentina in a 2011 friendly at the same stadium. Earlier on Saturday, he had virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata, meant as a tribute to his career, but that gesture was overshadowed by the unrest later in the day.
The incident has sparked fresh debate about how large events featuring global icons are planned and managed in India, and especially in Kolkata, a city famous for its deep football culture. Local rivalries such as Mohun Bagan versus East Bengal attract huge crowds, and Salt Lake Stadium has a history of trouble during high-tension matches, including a derby in 2012 that had to be abandoned after crowd violence.
After the Kolkata stop, Messi travelled to Hyderabad for the next part of the tour. Reports from there suggested that activities went more smoothly, including an exhibition match and sessions with children. The “GOAT India Tour 2025” is scheduled to continue in Mumbai and Delhi, with concerts, youth programmes, and charity-related events planned.
As refunds begin and inquiries get underway, the Kolkata episode stands as a harsh reminder of how quickly adoration can turn to anger when expectations are raised, tickets are expensive, and fans feel short-changed.
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