Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance in Kolkata on Saturday ended in chaos, disappointment and anger as thousands of fans failed to get a proper glimpse of the Argentine football icon at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Kolkata leg of the G.O.A.T. Tour, billed as a historic moment for Indian football fans, was cut short amid crowd unrest and allegations of gross mismanagement.
Messi arrived at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan around 11:15 am but stayed for barely 20 minutes. Fans who had paid hefty ticket prices, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, claimed they could not see the World Cup winner clearly due to tight security arrangements and the presence of several guests surrounding him on the field. Messi was expected to take a full lap of the stadium, but the plan was abandoned as tempers flared in the stands.
Within minutes of Messi’s brief appearance, frustration turned into anger. Bottles, chairs and other objects were thrown, banners and hoardings were damaged, and some fans even entered restricted areas of the stadium. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel had to use mild force to control the situation and prevent further vandalism.
The chaos forced organisers to escort Messi out of the venue for his safety. Prominent personalities, including Shah Rukh Khan, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were unable to participate as the programme was abruptly curtailed.
Reacting to the incident, Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology to Messi and fans, expressing shock over the mismanagement. She announced the formation of an enquiry committee to investigate the lapses, fix responsibility and recommend measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
Many fans termed the event an “absolute disgrace,” saying their money, emotions and expectations were completely betrayed on what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
