‘Absolute Disgrace’: Messi’s Kolkata Visit Descends into Fan Chaos as Expensive Event Turns ‘Royal Mess’
Bottles and Chairs Thrown at Salt Lake Stadium as Argentine Star’s Appearance Lasts Just 22 Minutes; Fans Demand Refunds, Blame VIP Overcrowding
Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour’ Starts with Unrest at Salt Lake Stadium
What was anticipated to be a celebratory start to football legend Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ quickly turned into a major scene of unrest at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on Saturday. Hundreds of excited football fans, who had paid exorbitant prices for tickets, erupted in anger over what they termed severe mismanagement and the Argentine star’s blink-and-miss appearance.
Chaos erupted inside the stadium moments after Messi emerged from the tunnel for a planned felicitation ceremony. Eyewitness accounts and viral video footage confirm scenes of frustrated spectators hurling water bottles, plastic chairs, and debris from the stands onto the pitch. Many fans attempted to breach the barricades, forcing police to intervene to restore order. The extreme disorder compelled security personnel to whisk the World Cup-winning captain away, cutting short his appearance to an estimated 10 to 22 minutes.
VIP Crowd Management Sparks Fan Fury
The core catalyst for the crowd’s fury was the poor organization and the overwhelming presence of political figures, celebrities, and officials. Fans who paid between ₹4,500 and ₹25,000 for tickets complained that their view of the superstar was completely obstructed by the large entourage.
“We paid ₹12,000 for the ticket but couldn’t even see his face,” stated an angry fan. “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then?” The sentiment was widely echoed, with many spectators alleging that they spent substantial amounts of money—in some cases, a month’s salary—only to watch local dignitaries and security personnel taking selfies with the football icon. The rushed, unceremonious nature of Messi’s departure, combined with the earlier cancellation of expected activities like a full lap of honour or a coaching clinic, led many to label the event an “absolute scam” and demand immediate refunds.
Security Tightened in Hyderabad Following Kolkata Fiasco
The unrest in Kolkata cast a deep shadow over the high-profile tour. The chaos forced the entire stadium program to be severely curtailed, resulting in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, and former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly reportedly missing out on the official functions with Messi.
Learning from the public relations and security nightmare, authorities in Hyderabad, the next stop on the multi-city tour, have announced unprecedented security clampdowns. Police have deployed thousands of personnel, imposed traffic restrictions, and mandated strict QR-code ticket verification to prevent overcrowding and ensure a focus on the scheduled football events, hoping to avoid a repeat of the “royal mess” witnessed in the City of Joy.