Lionel Messi forced to cut short Kolkata event amid chaos and mismanagement

What began as a celebration of footballing greatness descended into turmoil on 14 December, 2025, when thousands gathered at West Bengal’s Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to witness Lionel Messi, only to be met with mismanagement and scenes of chaos.

The Argentina captain, widely celebrated for leading his country to the 2022 World Cup title, arrived in Kolkata early Saturday for the first stop on his three-day India tour.

His first major public appearance was scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium, but the event was cut short when Messi was forced to leave within 20 minutes due to a breakdown in security and crowd control.

Chaotic scenes erupt at Salt Lake Stadium

The stadium, refurbished for the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, witnessed a breakdown of order as frustrated fans, many of whom had paid ticket prices ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹20,000 (approximately US$48 to US$240), surged past barricades.

Many hurled water bottles, ripped out chairs, and stormed the pitch, angered by their inability to get a clear view of the football icon. The crowd’s frustration was heightened by the presence of politicians and celebrities who appeared to obstruct access to Messi.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the disruption began shortly after Messi arrived at the stadium around 11:30 am. He was encircled on the pitch by a group that included politicians and former players, leaving fans able to see him only via the giant screen.

‘People paid month’s salary to see Messi’

Football enthusiast Ajay Shah, quoted by PTI, said, “People have spent a month’s salary to see Messi. I paid ₹5,000 for a ticket. We came to watch Messi, not politicians.”

Many fans had reportedly queued up since the early morning hours dressed in Argentina, Barcelona, and Inter Miami jerseys, hoping for a closer view of the player often dubbed the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time).

Satadru Dutta, the primary organiser of Messi’s India tour, pleaded with the crowd over the stadium’s public address system to calm down, warning that the player would leave if the situation was not brought under control. “People have paid a lot of money to come and see Messi,” Dutta said in Bengali. However, the appeals went largely unheeded.

Messi left ‘confused and bemused’

A PTI report described Messi as “confused and bemused” during his brief time at the venue. Though he attempted to sign autographs and meet former Indian players as planned, the worsening disorder left him with little choice but to exit.

Chants of “Messi, Messi” filled the stadium as the footballer, travelling in a white SUV, attempted a slow circuit of the ground. However, his every movement was blocked by on-field individuals, reportedly including officials from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bollywood personalities.

State and public backlash

The backlash was immediate. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she was “deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium.”

Anger was also directed at the presence of State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and Mohun Bagan officials Debasish Dutta and Srinjoy Biswas, who reportedly handed Messi a club jersey while fans remained excluded from the interactions.

Police struggled to control the surging crowd. Several tents were vandalised and sections of the stadium suffered visible damage.

Tour continues in Hyderabad

Later in the day, Messi flew to Hyderabad, where he was received by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

The footballer’s Hyderabad schedule included a 7-a-side exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

According to ANI, CM Reddy was expected to participate in the game, which was to be followed by a musical event celebrating Messi’s football career. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also reported to be in the city at the time.

Despite the setback in Kolkata, organisers have not indicated whether the remainder of Messi’s India tour would be modified.