Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated look in Kolkata on Saturday turned chaotic after 1000’s of followers, who had paid steep ticket costs, had been left with out even a transparent glimpse of the worldwide celebrity. Messi, surrounded by heavy safety and VVIPs, left the Salt Lake Stadium barely 10 minutes after arriving, triggering unrest amongst disillusioned supporters.
Followers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner had shelled out between ₹4,500 and ₹10,000 for tickets, hoping to see the 38-year-old footballer in individual. As a substitute, frustration boiled over as Messi’s transient presence, and fast exit, dashed expectations at considered one of India’s most iconic soccer venues.
Chairs thrown, RAF deployed as scenario spirals
Because it grew to become clear that Messi wouldn’t stay on the bottom, chaos erupted contained in the stadium. Offended supporters hurled chairs and water bottles, vandalism was reported, and a few followers allegedly abused the occasion organizers. The scenario shortly slipped past management, forcing police to deploy the Speedy Motion Drive (RAF) to revive order.
In keeping with information company PTI, Messi remained consistently surrounded by lots of of individuals believed to be supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress. With safety tightening additional, followers within the stands had been unable to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the Argentine nice, who quickly made his manner out of the venue.
Earlier, upon getting into the stadium, Messi had greeted gamers from the Mohun Bagan All Stars and Diamond Harbor All Stars, who had simply accomplished an exhibition match forward of his arrival.
‘I’m solely strolling this facet and that facet’
Former India worldwide Lalkamal Bhowmick, who featured for the Diamond Harbor All Stars, later shared particulars from inside the bottom, revealing that Messi himself appeared sad with the preparations.
“Messi appeared comfortable initially as he met with the gamers. A bit of later, I heard Messi saying to his staff, ‘Since I got here inside, I’m solely strolling this facet and that facet. What is occurring?’,” Bhowmick informed Livemint, pointing to obvious confusion and mismanagement throughout the occasion.
One other former India worldwide, Dipendu Biswas, mentioned he had warned the organizers upfront and steered a celebratory lap across the stadium to permit followers a correct view.
“I informed Satadru (Dutta) firstly to do a celebratory lap in an open jeep across the stadium with Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. One should perceive it is a fan’s occasion, they usually have come to observe Messi by spending 1000’s of cash,” Biswas mentioned.
Ganguly urges Messi to remain; Mamata Banerjee apologizes
After exiting the stadium, Messi, together with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, reportedly sat inside their automobile as members of Group Messi made it clear they didn’t want to proceed with the programme. West Bengal Sports activities Minister Aroop Biswas, state police DGP Rajeev Kumar and organizer Satadru Dutta had been seen making an attempt to steer the entourage to rethink.
Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who was among the many chief friends, was heard urging Messi to remain longer, saying, “It might be good if you happen to stayed a bit of longer.”
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was additionally scheduled to look contained in the stadium, left after witnessing the dysfunction. Earlier within the day, Khan had met Messi and Suarez at their lodge.
The fallout from the incident prompted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to challenge a public apology to each the soccer star and his supporters.
“I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, in addition to to all sports activities lovers and his followers, for the unlucky incident,” Banerjee wrote in a submit on X.