Kolkata, December 14, 2025: What was meant to be a historic and emotional moment for football fans in Kolkata turned into chaos on December 13, as Argentine legend Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance at Salt Lake Stadium ended abruptly, triggering unrest inside the venue.
The Kolkata leg marked the opening stop of Messi’s “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour 2025.” Thousands of fans packed the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, many paying premium ticket prices, hoping to catch a close glimpse of the World Cup-winning superstar. However, Messi’s on-field presence reportedly lasted barely 20 minutes, leaving the crowd disappointed and angry.
Messi arrived at the stadium alongside Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul. The programme was scheduled to include a pitch parade, youth coaching activities, and appearances with prominent Indian personalities. But moments after stepping onto the field, Messi was surrounded by heavy security, officials, and dignitaries, restricting visibility for spectators seated in the galleries.
As Messi exited earlier than expected to catch a flight to Hyderabad, frustration among fans quickly escalated. Several supporters rushed onto the field, damaged chairs and advertising boards, threw bottles, and tore down goalpost netting. Police and security personnel intervened with light crowd-control measures to restore order. No serious injuries were reported.
Earlier in the day, Messi had virtually inaugurated a 21-metre-tall (70-foot) statue of himself celebrating Argentina’s World Cup victory, installed in Kolkata’s Lake Town area—an event that had already generated massive excitement among fans.
Reacting strongly to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed regret and concern over the mismanagement.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans,” she said.
The Chief Minister ordered the formation of an inquiry committee headed by a retired judge to investigate organisational lapses and fix responsibility.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police detained the main event promoter, Satadru Dutta, at the airport while he was preparing to travel to Hyderabad with Messi’s entourage. Police sources said the detention was linked to serious planning failures. A case has been registered, investigations are underway, and authorities have assured full refunds to affected ticket holders.
Kolkata, known for its deep football culture despite cricket’s dominance nationwide, has hosted Messi before—most notably during Argentina’s exhibition match at the same stadium in 2011. The venue, however, has also witnessed crowd-management issues in the past.
Despite the turbulent start, the India Tour continued to Hyderabad later the same day, with upcoming events scheduled in Mumbai and New Delhi. Organisers have promised tighter security and better planning for the remaining stops to prevent a repeat of the Kolkata incident.
