Fans Riot as Lionel Messi Makes Brief Appearance in Kolkata

Thousands of supporters were incensed and disappointed when Lionel Messi’s much-awaited presence ended abruptly earlier today, December 13, at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium in India.

After the football legend was carried away just twenty minutes into the match, fans who had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the Argentina captain tore up plastic seats, threw bottles, and stormed the field.

While on a promotional GOAT tour in India, Lionel Messi came onto the field to wave to the audience, but he was mainly obscured by a large group of officials, celebrities, and security guards. Anger erupted in the crowded stadium when it became apparent that his performance was over and that there would be no exhibition match.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, expressed her “deep disturbed and shock” at the chaos after seeing pictures of supporters surging onto the field, breaking seats, and pulling down banners.

Many people in the crowd had anticipated much more than a quick tour, according to local media. According to AFP, it was widely assumed that the 2022 World Cup champion was participating in a quick exhibition match.

Speaking to the Indian news agency ANI, a fan expressed the annoyance that many attendees felt by stating, “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi…” Then, why did they call us? Despite having a 12,000 rupee ticket, we were unable to glimpse his face.

The Press Trust of India was informed by another supporter that the expense of attendance had been prohibitive for regular fans. “I came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians, and I spent Rs 5,000 for the ticket. The fan claimed that the management was to blame for the police and military people snapping selfies.

Rodrigo de Paul, an Argentina international, and Luis Suarez, an Inter Miami player, accompanied Lionel Messi on his brief visit. Earlier in the day, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan also got to know the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Despite cricket’s dominance in India, West Bengal’s metropolis, Kolkata, is renowned for its strong football culture. Local derbies are frequently attended by sizable audiences, and the excitement around Messi’s visit had intensified. Wearing Argentina jerseys, “I love Messi” headbands, and screaming his name, fans traveled from all across the nation.

Thousands of people gathered outside Messi’s hotel and lined the streets in the early hours of the event, hoping to see him.

A 70-foot monument of Messi, constructed over 27 days by a 45-person crew, was unveiled in Kolkata to kick off the player’s India tour. Lionel Messi virtually attended the launch due to security concerns.

Banerjee apologized to Lionel Messi and sports fans after the turmoil on Saturday and announced an official investigation. She stated on 𝕏, “The committee will carry out a thorough investigation into the incident, assign blame, and suggest measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

According to AFP, a police spokesman confirmed that the “chief organizer” of the event had been taken into custody and stated that they would also look into the possibility of arranging ticket refunds. The All India Football Federation declared that it was not involved in the privately run competition.