Kolkata, December 13,2025: Angry fans attending Lionel Messi’s promotional visit to India vandalised property and hurled objects towards the pitch at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday after the football star’s appearance was cut short, leaving thousands of ticket-holders disappointed.
Fans had paid up to 12,000 Indian rupees (£100) to see the Argentina and Inter Miami forward during his much-hyped “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Tour”, but frustration erupted when Messi appeared only briefly, walked around the pitch surrounded by officials and celebrities, and was whisked away by security after around 20 minutes.
As it became clear that Messi would not return, sections of the crowd turned hostile, ripping up plastic seats, storming fences, vandalising banners and tents, and throwing water bottles and chairs towards the field, according to local media and eyewitnesses.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident and announced a formal enquiry. Apologising to Messi and sports fans, she said the committee would fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Messi is in India for a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. His tour began in Kolkata with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of himself, which he attended virtually due to security concerns.
Thousands of fans had travelled from across the country to the stadium, chanting his name, buying jerseys and wearing “I love Messi” headbands. Many had expected the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to play a short exhibition match, as earlier suggested by organisers.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then?” a disappointed fan told Indian news agency ANI. “We paid 12,000 rupees but could not even see his face.”
Another fan told the Press Trust of India that people had spent the equivalent of a month’s salary to attend the event. “I paid Rs5,000 and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The management is to blame,” he said.
Messi was accompanied by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez and Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul during the brief visit. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan also met Messi earlier in the day, according to Reuters.
A senior police official said the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, while authorities were also considering how ticket refunds could be arranged. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it had no role in the privately organised event.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, has one of India’s strongest football cultures, regularly drawing massive crowds for local derbies despite cricket’s dominance nationwide.
