Chaos broke out at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, December 13, after Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance was cut short, triggering outrage among thousands of disappointed fans.
Supporters, some of whom paid up to 12,000 rupees for tickets, reacted angrily after the Argentina captain was escorted away barely 20 minutes into the event. Plastic seats were ripped out, bottles were thrown, and sections of the crowd stormed the pitch as frustration boiled over.
Messi, who was in India as part of his promotional GOAT Tour, briefly stepped onto the pitch to acknowledge the crowd but remained largely shielded by a large entourage of security personnel, officials and celebrities. When it became apparent that his appearance had ended and that no exhibition match would take place, tensions escalated inside the packed stadium.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the unrest, as videos circulated showing fans tearing down banners, smashing chairs and running onto the field.
According to local media reports, many supporters had expected more than a short walk-on appearance. The 2022 World Cup winner was widely believed to be scheduled for a brief exhibition match, according to AFP.
One fan told Indian news agency ANI: “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then? We paid 12,000 rupees for tickets but couldn’t even see his face.”
Another supporter, speaking to the Press Trust of India, highlighted the financial burden on ordinary fans. “I paid ₹5,000 for my ticket and brought my son to see Messi, not politicians. Police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the organisers are to blame,” he said.
Messi was accompanied during the short visit by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez and fellow Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan also met the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner earlier in the day.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is renowned for its strong football culture despite cricket’s dominance in India. Anticipation for Messi’s visit reached fever pitch, with fans travelling from across the country, wearing Argentina jerseys, chanting his name and displaying “I love Messi” headbands.
In the hours leading up to the event, large crowds gathered outside Messi’s hotel in hopes of catching a glimpse of the football icon.
Messi’s India tour began in Kolkata with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue built in his honour over 27 days by a 45-member team. Due to security concerns, Messi appeared virtually at the unveiling.
Following the unrest, Banerjee announced an official inquiry and issued an apology to Messi and sports fans. “The committee will carry out a thorough investigation, assign responsibility and recommend steps to prevent such incidents in the future,” she wrote on 𝕏.
A police official confirmed that the event’s chief organiser has been arrested, AFP reported, adding that authorities are also considering ticket refund arrangements. The All India Football Federation clarified that it had no involvement in the privately organised event.
