Lionel Messi’s short visit to Kolkata turned turbulent on Saturday morning as angry fans broke security barriers after failing to catch a clear glimpse of the global football icon during his brief 22-minute stay at the Salt Lake Stadium. What was expected to be a historic celebration for football lovers in the City of Joy instead descended into confusion, disappointment, and unrest.
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The atmosphere inside the stadium deteriorated rapidly moments after Messi emerged from the tunnel. Frustrated spectators began throwing bottles and damaging fibreglass seats, forcing police personnel to step in and attempt to restore order. Security struggled to manage the swelling crowd as the situation spiralled beyond control.
The chaos led to the abrupt curtailment of the event, preventing several high-profile guests from participating. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who were present for the programme, were unable to proceed as planned due to the disorder.
Promoter Shatadru Datta, organiser of the ‘GOAT Tour’, along with security officials, rushed Messi out of the venue to ensure his safety. The stadium witnessed further turmoil as supporters affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress reportedly breached security and entered the field of play, worsening the situation.
Fans, many of whom had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for tickets, voiced strong resentment over the arrangements. Several complained of poor crowd management, lack of basic facilities, and inadequate security planning.
An aggrieved spectator, Ajay Shah, expressed his anger, saying that people had spent a significant portion of their income to see Messi, only to be left disappointed. He alleged mismanagement by organisers, claimed that even drinking water was unavailable, and accused authorities of focusing on selfies rather than crowd control.
The incident has raised serious questions about event planning and security preparedness for high-profile international appearances in the city.
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