Messi Event in India Turns Chaotic as Fans Throw Chairs
Thousands of fans turned violent at Kolkata stadium as Lionel Messi’s India appearance was cut short, leaving ticket holders furious and disappointed.
During Lionel Messi's visit to India, angry fans tore up seats and threw objects onto the pitch after his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Thousands of fans had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) for a glimpse of the football star, but were left disappointed when he arrived on the pitch surrounded by a large group of officials and celebrities.
When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was quickly escorted away by security guards after about 20 minutes, some in the crowd turned violent.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "very upset and shocked" by the incidents.
Messi is in India for his 'GOAT [Greatest Of All Time] Tour', a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
His tour began with the unveiling of his 70-foot (21-meter) tall statue in Kolkata, which was built by a team of 45 people in 27 days. Messi was present virtually for security reasons.
Thousands of fans had gathered at the city's stadium for a chance to see the footballer in person.
They were chanting, buying jerseys and wearing "I Love Messi" headbands.
Messi initially waved to fans while touring the stadium, but when his appearance was abruptly cut short on Saturday, some disappointed fans stormed the pitch and tore down banners and tents, while others threw plastic chairs and water bottles.
According to the AFP news agency, the 2022 World Cup winner – considered one of the greatest footballers of all time – was expected to play a short exhibition match at the stadium.
One fan at the stadium told the Indian news agency ANI: "There were only politicians and actors around Messi... so why did they call us... We bought tickets for 12,000 rupees, but we couldn't even see his face." An angry fan told the Press Trust of India news agency that people had paid the equivalent of a month's salary to see the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. "I paid 5,000 rupees for the ticket and came with my son to see Messi, not the politicians.
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"Police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is responsible for this."
Messi was accompanied on his brief trip by his Inter Miami teammate and Uruguayan star Luis Suárez and Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul.
Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and is home to a large number of football fans in a cricket-mad country.
In the city, it's common for millions of fans to pack stadiums for derby matches between local clubs.
Announcing the investigation, Banerjee apologized to Messi and "sports lovers" for the incident at the stadium.
"The [investigation] committee will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future," the chief minister said on X.
According to an AFP report, a police officer told reporters that the event's "main organizer" had been arrested, but no further details were given.
The officer said authorities would investigate how the organizers could refund ticket holders.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it was not involved in the "private event."
On Saturday morning, thousands lined the streets and gathered outside the hotel where Messi was staying to catch a glimpse of him.
Hitesh, a 24-year-old corporate lawyer, had traveled from the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, nearly 1,900 kilometers away.
"This is personal for me," Hitesh told, standing in front of a statue of the player. "You can see I'm quite short, and I love playing football with my friends.
"Messi is the player I connect with the most; nobody can match his talent." He gives me hope that with talent, you can achieve anything."
This is just a small part of India's tribute to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Fans can also visit the "Hola Messi" fan zone, which features a life-size replica of Messi sitting on a throne, a hall decorated with some of his trophies, and a recreation of his Miami home, complete with mannequins of the player and his family sitting on a balcony.
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