Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance in India descended into chaos and violence as frustrated fans rioted at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium during the football superstar’s promotional tour. The incident unfolded when thousands of supporters who had paid premium prices—up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133)—found their expectations dramatically unmet during Saturday’s event.
The disruption began when Messi’s stadium appearance, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, was abruptly cut short by security personnel. The Argentina and Inter Miami forward had been largely obscured during his brief pitch walk by an extensive entourage of officials and local celebrities, preventing clear visibility for most attendees. This visual obstruction, combined with the premature conclusion of his appearance, triggered widespread disappointment among the crowd.
As realization spread that Messi had departed, segments of the audience turned hostile. Enraged supporters stormed the field, vandalizing stadium property including banners and temporary structures. Witnesses reported plastic chairs and water bottles being hurled toward the pitch while seats were physically torn from their fixtures in acts of collective frustration.
The situation prompted a swift response from West Bengal’s political leadership. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed being ‘deeply disturbed and shocked’ by the events and announced an official inquiry into the incident. Through her social media channels, she extended apologies both to Messi and to ‘sports lovers’ while committing to identify responsibility and implement preventive measures for future events.
Financial disappointment compounded the emotional letdown for many attendees. Multiple fans reported spending amounts equivalent to a month’s salary for the opportunity to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. One supporter told Indian news agencies: ‘Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then? We paid 12 thousand rupees but couldn’t even see his face.’ Another attendee criticized the event management and security personnel for prioritizing selfies over crowd management.
The Kolkata incident occurred within the context of Messi’s broader ‘GOAT Tour’ across India, which includes scheduled appearances in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The tour commenced with the virtual unveiling of a monumental 70-foot statue honoring the footballer, a project requiring 27 days of construction by a 45-person team. Security concerns necessitated the digital revelation rather than a physical ceremony.
Despite the stadium chaos, Messi’s cultural impact in India remains significant. The tour features extensive fan engagement opportunities including the ‘Hola Messi’ zone—an immersive experience containing throne-seated life-sized replicas, trophy displays, and detailed recreations of his Miami residence complete with mannequin representations of his family.
Kolkata represents a particularly football-passionate community within cricket-dominated India, regularly drawing hundreds of thousands of supporters to local club derbies. This deep-seated enthusiasm contributed to the intensity of disappointment when expectations surrounding the global icon’s appearance remained unfulfilled.