Angry fans attending a Lionel Messi event in India threw chairs, bottles and other objects onto the pitch after the football star’s appearance at a packed stadium in Kolkata ended abruptly.
Thousands of supporters had paid as much as 12,000 rupees to see the Argentina and Inter Miami forward during his visit to the city’s Salt Lake Stadium. However, frustration grew when Messi only walked briefly around the pitch and was largely hidden from view by a large group of officials and celebrities surrounding him.
After about 20 minutes, Messi was escorted away by security, triggering anger among sections of the crowd. Fans reportedly stormed the pitch, vandalised banners and tents, and hurled plastic chairs and water bottles as the situation deteriorated.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident and announced an official enquiry. She apologised to Messi and sports fans, saying the investigation would identify those responsible and recommend measures to prevent a repeat.
Messi is currently in India for his “GOAT tour,” a series of promotional events across major cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The tour began with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of the footballer in Kolkata, which was revealed virtually for security reasons, prompting many fans to gather at the stadium instead.
Many supporters said they felt misled, with some claiming they had expected Messi to play a short exhibition match. One fan told local media that people had paid the equivalent of a month’s salary only to be blocked from seeing the footballer properly, while security personnel and officials took selfies nearby.
Despite the chaos, Messi’s popularity in India remains immense, particularly in football-loving Kolkata, where large crowds regularly attend local derbies. Earlier in the day, thousands of fans had lined the streets outside Messi’s hotel in hopes of catching a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, underscoring both the scale of his appeal and the disappointment that led to the unrest.
