Lionel Messi’s a lot awaited arrival in Kolkata as a part of the GOAT India Tour started with scenes of unmatched ardour and pleasure, however the celebration shortly spiraled into chaos, turning what was meant to be a historic fan second right into a logistical nightmare. Hundreds packed the Salt Lake Stadium hoping for a glimpse of the Argentine legend, solely to go away pissed off, offended and disenchanted.
From the second Messi arrived, the environment was electrical. Followers sporting Argentina jerseys flooded the stands, chants echoed throughout the stadium and the noise was deafening because the soccer icon waved to the gang. Messi additionally unveiled a 70 foot statue of himself and interacted briefly with dignitaries, celebrities and organisers. Nonetheless, his time contained in the stadium turned out to be far shorter than anticipated.
Motive For Unrest
As Messi tried a lap across the floor, heavy safety cordons and a big entourage made it almost unattainable for many followers to even catch a transparent glimpse. Inside minutes, anxiousness started to develop. Supporters booed organizers and politicians, shouting “rip-off” and “fraud” as frustration boiled over. Bottles had been thrown onto the sector, tents had been reportedly upturned and a few followers even tore seating from the stands and hurled them onto the pitch.
Chaos erupted at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium as offended followers hurled bottles and chairs from the stands. Legendary footballer Lionel Messi has left the stadium. Extra particulars are awaited
Supply: ANI#LionelMessi #Messi #MessiInIndia #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/SfedNuIJTp— WION (@WIONews) December 13, 2025
The state of affairs deteriorated quickly. Messi was hurried out of the stadium after solely a short look, prompting additional outrage. As information unfold that the soccer celebrity had already left, crowds breached barricades and chaos erupted inside and out of doors the venue. What began as Messi mania quickly grew to become an enormous mess, casting a shadow over the opening day of the tour.
The frustration was significantly sharp for followers who had traveled lengthy distances or made private sacrifices to be there. One newly married couple even canceled their honeymoon to see Messi reside, calling the chance a as soon as in a lifetime second. For a lot of like them, the brief and chaotic look felt like a bitter finish to months of anticipation.
What Are the Different Locations Messi Is Visiting?
After the Kolkata leg, Messi was scheduled to fly to Hyderabad for the night phase of the tour. He was then set to journey to Mumbai for an occasion on the Wankhede Stadium. The ultimate cease of the GOAT India Tour was Delhi, the place Messi was scheduled to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi’s go to marked probably the most excessive profile appearances by a world soccer star in India lately. Safety was tightened throughout venues, whereas ticket demand and fan turnout surged. Nonetheless, the scenes at Salt Lake Stadium raised severe questions over crowd administration and occasion planning, with organizers now beneath scrutiny because the tour strikes to its subsequent locations.