Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance in India took a dramatic turn after scenes of chaos erupted at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, with furious fans reportedly throwing chairs and bottles when the football icon appeared for only a brief moment.
The Inter Miami superstar, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, was in Kolkata as part of his GOAT Tour India 2025, an event that had drawn tens of thousands of supporters from across the country.
However, what was meant to be a celebratory evening quickly descended into disorder as crowd frustration boiled over.
According to eyewitnesses and footage circulating on social media, Messi was on the pitch for less than five minutes before unrest began inside the packed stadium.
The Argentine legend was accompanied by fellow footballers Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, surrounded by heavy security and event officials.
Messi completed a short lap of honour, waved to fans, and acknowledged the crowd before being escorted off the field.
Moments later, bottles were seen flying from the stands as angry supporters surged forward, with some storming the pitch.
Videos from inside Salt Lake Stadium showed fans shouting at organisers, politicians, and security staff, while stadium property was vandalised amid the chaos.
Many ticket-holding fans blamed organisers for mismanagement and crowd control failures, claiming VIPs and politicians were given priority access while thousands of paying supporters were unable to see Messi properly.
More than 80,000 tickets reportedly sold out within minutes, with some fans paying over $100 to attend — a significant sum for many.
Businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told local media:
“Watching Messi is a dream for me. But I couldn’t even get a glimpse of him because of the mismanagement inside the stadium.”
Another supporter described the event as “a complete disaster,” adding that Messi’s appearance lasted no more than 10 minutes.
“So much money, time, and emotion were wasted,” the fan said.
As the situation escalated, police and security forces intervened to regain control. Images later showed broken seats, damaged banners, and littered walkways across several sections of the stadium.
Ajay Shah, who attended the event with his son, told the Press Trust of India (PTI):
“I paid $55 to see Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were busy taking selfies. The management is entirely responsible.”
Several fans claimed they had spent the equivalent of a month’s salary to attend the event.
The incident prompted a swift response from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who issued a public apology and announced a formal inquiry into the chaos.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee wrote:
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium.”
She added that she had been on her way to the venue herself and apologised both to Messi and to fans who had gathered in hopes of seeing the football icon.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said.
The unrest overshadowed what had otherwise been a high-profile day for Messi in Kolkata. Earlier, the footballer had virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself holding the FIFA World Cup trophy at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town.
During the unveiling, Messi briefly thanked fans with a “muchas gracias,” delighting supporters across India.
Messi arrived in India on Saturday for a three-day visit, his first since playing a FIFA international friendly in Kolkata in 2011.
He is expected to visit multiple cities, including Hyderabad, before departing on Monday.
Reports suggest his itinerary may also include a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Despite the controversy, Messi continues to enjoy immense global success.
He recently won his second consecutive MLS MVP award, leading Inter Miami to the league title and topping the scoring charts.
As India reflects on the chaotic scenes in Kolkata, many fans are now calling for better organisation — hoping future football events live up to the passion and respect Messi commands worldwide.