What was meant to be a historic and celebratory moment for football fans in India turned into a major controversy on Saturday, when Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance at Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium ended abruptly amid chaos, crowd unrest, and allegations of mismanagement and fraud.

Thousands of fans, many of whom paid premium ticket prices exceeding ₹5,000 (over USD 100), gathered at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan to witness the Argentine superstar as part of the “GOAT India Tour 2025.” Expectations were sky-high, fueled by months of promotion suggesting meaningful interaction with Messi, and even brief on-field participation.

However, the reality proved drastically different.

According to eyewitnesses and local media reports, Messi appeared on the pitch for barely ten minutes. Almost immediately, he was surrounded by a dense ring of politicians, government officials, celebrities, their families, and an overwhelming number of photographers. The congestion made it impossible for Messi to complete the planned lap around the stadium, forcing his security team to intervene and rapidly escort him out of the venue.

As word spread through the stands that Messi would not remain longer—or play at all—frustration escalated into anger. Fans began throwing water bottles and debris onto the pitch, tearing out seats, and in some cases storming the field. The celebratory atmosphere quickly devolved into disorder, prompting a heavy police response.

“I waited months and paid a lot of money just to see Messi in person,” said Nabin Chatterjee, a 37-year-old businessman, speaking to AFP. “But due to the complete mismanagement, I barely saw him at all.”

Organizer Arrested and Refunds Ordered

Indian police confirmed the arrest of the main event organizer following formal complaints related to the disturbances. Authorities stated that the promoter was required to provide a written commitment guaranteeing refunds to thousands of disappointed ticket holders.

West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar explained that the chaos stemmed from false expectations surrounding Messi’s role at the event.
“The plan was for him to arrive, greet the crowd, meet certain individuals, and leave. The perception that he would play led to anger and anxiety among fans,” Kumar said during a press briefing.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology, expressing regret to Messi and sports fans nationwide, and announced the formation of an investigative committee to examine the organizational failures.

Meanwhile, opposition parties—including the BJP and Congress—accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of politicizing the event and enabling corruption in ticket sales. The state government countered that the program was organized by a private agency.

A Monumental Tribute Overshadowed

Ironically, the controversy overshadowed what had been intended as a grand tribute to Messi’s legacy. Prior to his stadium appearance, a towering 20-meter statue depicting Messi lifting the FIFA World Cup was unveiled in Kolkata. Crafted in just 40 days by artist Monty Pal and commissioned by local officials, the monument was intended to honor the football icon and seek recognition from Guinness World Records.

Following the unrest—and protests reported outside Messi’s hotel—the footballer’s entourage departed Kolkata under tight security to continue the tour in Hyderabad, with further stops planned in Mumbai and New Delhi.

What should have been a landmark celebration of football diplomacy instead became a cautionary tale about poor planning, political interference, and the risks of inflating fan expectations—leaving both supporters and organizers facing the fallout of a deeply flawed event.