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Lionel Messi
Hey there, football fans!
If you are anything like me, you have been following Lionel Messi‘s incredible career for years.
The guy is a legend, eight Ballon d’Or awards, a World Cup winner, and someone who has brought joy to millions on the pitch.
So when news broke that Messi was coming to India for his GOAT Tour 2025, the excitement was off the charts, especially in Kolkata, a city that lives and breathes football.
However, what was supposed to be a dream come true turned into a bit of a nightmare on December 13, 2025, at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
Thousands of fans showed up, tickets in hand, ready to catch a glimpse of their hero.
Instead, things spiraled into chaos with bottles flying, chairs being thrown, and widespread disappointment.
As someone passionate about the beautiful game, I felt compelled to break this down for you, the complete details, what went wrong, and the lessons we can take from it.
This is THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA bringing you a straightforward, no-nonsense look at the Lionel Messi Kolkata controversy.
Let us get into it.
The Build-Up: Why Kolkata Was Buzzing For Messi
Kolkata has a special place in the hearts of football lovers in India.
While the rest of the country is cricket-crazy, places like West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa keep the football flame alive.
The city has hosted legends before.
Diego Maradona visited twice, Pelé played here, and even Messi himself made his India debut back in 2011 when Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly at the very same Salt Lake Stadium.
Fast forward to 2025, and Messi’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour was announced.
It was a multi-city promotional tour celebrating his career, with stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
No full matches this time, but events like fan interactions, youth clinics, charity launches, and public appearances.
For Kolkata, the main event was at Salt Lake Stadium (officially Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan), a venue that can hold over 85,000 people.
Fans went all out.
Tickets ranged from around Rs 5,000 to higher prices for better views, and the stadium was packed, estimates say around 80,000 turned up.
Some stories were heartwarming: a newlywed couple canceled their honeymoon just to see Messi, saying watching him was more important after following him for over a decade.
Another fan skipped a wedding.
The passion was real.
Early on the day, things looked promising.
Messi landed in Kolkata around 2:30 AM, rested at a luxury hotel, and virtually unveiled a massive 70-foot statue of himself holding the World Cup trophy at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan met him there too, a “King meets GOAT” moment that went viral.
What Happened At Salt Lake Stadium
The main event kicked off in the morning.
There was an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan All Stars and Diamond Harbour All Stars to warm up the crowd, plus some performances.
Messi was scheduled to arrive around 11:30 AM for a lap of honor, wave to fans, interact with former Indian players, and maybe a quick masterclass.
He showed up with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, all smiles, waving to the roaring crowd.
However, here is where it all went wrong.
Messi was immediately surrounded by a huge entourage: security personnel, organizers, political leaders, former players, and VIPs, including West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas.
Fans in the stands could not get a clear view; he was shielded the whole time.
What was meant to be a 45-minute appearance lasted only about 20 minutes (some reports say even less, around 15-20).
As Messi was quickly ushered out for safety reasons, frustration boiled over.
Chants turned to boos, then anger.
Fans started throwing water bottles and plastic chairs from the stands.
Some broke barricades, invaded the pitch, vandalized banners, tents, and even parts of the seating. Police had to step in with mild force to control the situation.
Videos spread like wildfire on social media, chairs flying, bottles hurled, the stage damaged.
It was chaotic and heartbreaking for true fans who just wanted a proper glimpse.
Why Did Fans React This Way? The Root Causes
Let us be fair, the fans’ reaction was extreme, but the disappointment was understandable.
Here is what fueled the fire:
- Poor Visibility And Mismanagement: Paying fans felt cheated. The crowd around him obscured Messi. One fan told reporters, “We could not even see his face properly. Ministers and politicians were clicking selfies while we struggled.”
- High Expectations vs. Reality: The event was hyped as a celebration with interactions, but it felt rushed. Organizers promised more, but security concerns cut it short.
- Ticket Prices And Access Issues: Tickets were not cheap, and many felt VIPs and politicians got priority. Allegations flew that ruling party leaders had better access, leaving ordinary fans sidelined.
- Overcrowding And Planning Lapses: With such a huge turnout, crowd management was inadequate. No clear communication about the schedule or what to expect.
Fans called it a “scam” and a “black day for Kolkata.”
Many demanded refunds, saying their time, money, and emotions were wasted.
The Aftermath: Apologies, Investigations, And Refunds
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was on her way to the event when chaos erupted.
She expressed shock, apologized directly to Messi and fans, and ordered a high-level enquiry.
“I am deeply disturbed… I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi and all sports lovers,” she posted.
I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.
I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.
I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers.
Police acted fast: The main organizer, Satadru Dutta (from a fan group called Messians of Kolkata), was detained at the airport as he tried to see Messi off to Hyderabad.
Authorities promised strict action against those responsible for mismanagement.
Good news for fans: Tickets were to be fully refunded.
Messi and his team left for Hyderabad without comment, but the tour continued with heightened security in other cities.
Kolkata’s Love For Football: A Deeper Look
This incident shone a light on Kolkata’s unique football culture.
The city idolizes Argentina – blue and white flags everywhere, murals of Maradona and Messi on walls.
Derbies between Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting draw massive crowds.
But events like this highlight challenges in organizing big international visits in India: balancing security, VIP protocols, and fan access.
Trivia
Did you know Kolkata once built a life-sized statue of Messi overnight in 2018 to cheer him during the World Cup? The passion runs deep!
Lessons Learned And Moving Forward
This controversy was unfortunate, but it’s a reminder that when dealing with global icons like Messi, fan experience should come first.
Better planning, transparent communication, and prioritizing paying supporters over VIP photo-ops could prevent such scenes.
Messi’s tour went on to other cities, and hopefully, the joyous moments, like youth clinics and charity work, overshadowed the Kolkata mishap.
As fans, we all share the love for the game.
Incidents like this do not define Kolkata’s spirit; they just show how much football means here.
If you are a Messi fan or just love a good football story, stick around for more articles on THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA.
We have got plenty of legends, matches, and the beautiful game.
Drop a comment below.
What did you think of the Kolkata chaos?
Let us chat!
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