Guwahati: Kolkata witnessed chaos on Saturday as thousands of fans attending Lionel Messi’s promotional tour in India reacted angrily after the football star’s brief appearance at Salt Lake Stadium.
Fans tore up seats, hurled plastic chairs and water bottles, and vandalised banners and tents in frustration, following what they described as a disappointing and restricted viewing experience.
Messi, the Argentina and Inter Miami forward, was scheduled to appear at the stadium as part of his ‘GOAT [Greatest of All Time] Tour,’ covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
Thousands of supporters, who paid up to Rs 12,000 ($133) for tickets, had lined the stands, hoping for a closer glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Reports say Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans, but officials, celebrities, and security personnel quickly surrounded him. Security then escorted him away within approximately 20 minutes, which sparked unrest among the crowd.
Many fans expressed outrage that their paid tickets offered little chance to see the footballer clearly.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… We paid Rs 12,000 but could barely see his face,” a fan told a news agency. Another, speaking to the Press Trust of India, said, “I paid Rs 5,000 and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies while fans waited.”
Messi’s brief visit included his Inter Miami teammate, Luis Suarez, and Argentina’s Rodrigo de Paul. Earlier in the day, he also met Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.
The event followed the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of Messi in Kolkata, assembled over 27 days by a team of 45. Due to security concerns, Messi participated virtually in the statue ceremony.
Fans also had the opportunity to explore a “Hola Messi” fan zone, featuring life-sized replicas, trophies, and a recreation of his Miami home.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed being “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident. She announced an enquiry and apologised to Messi and sports enthusiasts.
“The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future,” she said on X.
Police confirmed they arrested the event’s chief organiser, though details remain limited. Authorities also plan to explore options to refund ticket holders. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) clarified that it did not participate in the privately organised event.
Kolkata, known for its passionate football fanbase, saw fans lining the roads and gathering outside Messi’s hotel in the early hours, with many travelling long distances to catch a glimpse of the star.
Hitesh, a 24-year-old lawyer from Bengaluru, described the experience as personal, saying Messi inspires hope and demonstrates that talent can achieve anything.