Kolkata’s long-awaited reunion with football maestro Lionel Messi turned from a dream spectacle into a chaotic nightmare on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The Argentine star’s visit, part of the ‘GOAT India Tour,’ was dramatically cut short at the Salt Lake Stadium due to severe mismanagement and crowd unrest, leaving thousands of adoring fans disillusioned and furious.
The city, a historic bastion of football fanaticism in India, had erupted in “Messi mania” upon his arrival. The memory of his 2011 friendly match—where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0—had set expectations sky-high for this non-competitive, promotional event.
However, what transpired on Saturday afternoon has now become a flashpoint for fan anger and questions about event organization.
The Shortest Spectacle
Despite paying hefty ticket prices, which reportedly ranged from ₹4,500 to ₹18,000, spectators confined to the stands found their view of their idol completely obstructed. The core issue wasn’t Messi’s performance, but his inaccessibility.
* VIP Overload: Soon after Messi stepped onto the pitch for his scheduled 45-minute appearance, the area around him was reportedly flooded by a large entourage of VIPs, politicians, officials, and celebrities.
* Obstructed View: Fans complained bitterly that their expensive tickets only afforded them a distant view of the top of the VIP huddle, making it impossible to see the football legend clearly.
* A Brief Wave: Due to the deteriorating security situation and the breakdown of crowd control, Messi’s appearance was tragically brief. After barely twenty minutes on the ground, and managing only a quick wave to the general public, security personnel were forced to escort him out of the stadium for his own safety.
The Outbreak of Fan Fury
Messi’s sudden and early departure triggered an immediate and explosive reaction from the disappointed crowd.
> “We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees [£100], but we were not even able to see his face. Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then?” one angry fan was quoted as saying.
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The collective frustration boiled over into an episode of unprecedented vandalism at the famed stadium:
* Projectile Hurling: Videos and reports confirmed that angry fans began throwing ripped-up stadium seats, bottles, and other objects onto the pitch and the athletics track.
* Damage to Property: Sponsor banners were reportedly torn down, and sections of the gallery were vandalized as the crowd reacted to the perceived injustice and mismanagement.
* Security Lapse: The inability of the organizers and security personnel to control unauthorized access to the pitch area, allowing politically connected and privileged individuals to monopolize the star’s presence, was the primary spark for the outrage.
Apologies and Investigation Ordered
The chaotic scene and subsequent destruction have prompted an immediate political response. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was en route to the event, expressed deep disturbance and shock over the mismanagement.
She publicly apologized to Lionel Messi and the sports lovers and has ordered an official enquiry committee. The committee is tasked with conducting a detailed investigation, fixing responsibility for the lapses, and recommending measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The day that was meant to celebrate the “God of Football’s” return to Kolkata will now be remembered as a sobering display of how organizational failure can turn immense public adulation into explosive fan fury.
