Kolkata, December 13, 2025 — Lionel Messi's highly anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025 got off to a turbulent start in Kolkata today, with frustrated fans vandalising seats, throwing bottles and objects onto the pitch, and invading the field after the Argentine football icon's appearance at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) lasted only about 20-22 minutes.
Thousands of ticket-holders, who paid between ₹4,500 and ₹18,000 for entry, expressed fury over poor visibility of Messi, who was closely surrounded by security, VIPs, politicians, and officials during his time on the pitch. Many fans reported being unable to get a clear glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, despite expectations of a longer interaction, including a full lap of honour.
Footage from the venue showed chaos erupting shortly after Messi departed: seats ripped from stands, banners torn down, goal nets dismantled, and crowds breaching barricades. Police resorted to mild force to restore order, with no major injuries reported.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was en route to the event when the unrest began, apologised publicly on social media: "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, for the unfortunate incident." She announced a high-level enquiry committee to investigate and fix responsibility.
In response, Kolkata Police detained the event's chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, amid allegations of gross mismanagement. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar confirmed the detention, stating that Dutta has provided a written assurance for full ticket refunds to affected spectators. "We have detained the main organiser to ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished," Kumar said.
Earlier in the day, Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata's Lake Town area, marking a celebratory prelude before the stadium fiasco.
Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, has since departed for the tour's next leg in Hyderabad, where a 7v7 exhibition match is scheduled this evening. Authorities are reassessing security for remaining stops in Mumbai and New Delhi to prevent similar incidents.
The Kolkata leg highlighted the immense passion for football in the city but also exposed organisational lapses in handling one of the world's biggest sporting stars.
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