Crowds of angry spectators stormed the pitch and tore down barricades at a stadium in eastern India after football icon Lionel Messi abruptly left an event during his three‑day visit to the country.
Messi, 38, arrived in West Bengal early Saturday as part of his so‑called GOAT Tour, greeted at the airport by thousands of fans chanting his name. By the afternoon, Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata was packed with supporters wearing Messi jerseys and waving Argentine flags, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Inter Miami and Argentina star.
Heavy security, however, made it difficult for many to see him. Messi briefly walked around the pitch waving to the crowd before exiting the venue earlier than expected.
Before the unrest, Messi unveiled a 21‑metre (70‑foot) statue depicting him lifting the World Cup. He had also been expected to take part in a short exhibition match.
Frustration quickly boiled over. Fans who had paid more than $100 for tickets ripped out stadium seats, hurled water bottles onto the track, and vandalised banners and tents. Many then broke through barriers and rushed onto the pitch.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” said 37‑year‑old businessman Nabin Chatterjee.
Another fan told the Press Trust of India that people had spent “a month’s salary” to attend. “I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” said Ajay Shah.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” by the chaos. She apologised to Messi and fans on X and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Messi is scheduled to continue his four‑city tour with stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, and may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.
The trip comes days after Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award, following a season in which he led Inter Miami to the MLS title and topped the league’s scoring charts. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint‑Germain forward is set to lead Argentina’s World Cup defence in North America next June and July.
