What was expected to be a celebration turned into a major controversy during Lionel Messi’s visit to India as part of the so-called “GOAT Tour.” The Argentine star’s brief appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata sparked anger among fans, leading to disturbances in the stands, damage to the venue, a pitch invasion, and police intervention.
Messi appeared in front of the crowd, walked around the stadium, greeted fans, and left after only a few minutes. Many spectators had expected him to play, even if briefly, and the gap between expectations and what actually happened triggered unrest. Several fans, some of whom had paid tickets costing more than $100, tore out seats, threw bottles onto the field, and entered the pitch, forcing security forces to act.
Hours later, local authorities confirmed the arrest of the main event organizer following a formal complaint. Police in West Bengal demanded a written commitment to refund tickets sold for the event. State police chief Rajeev Kumar explained the situation in a press conference: “There was some anger or anxiety because he was not playing. The plan was that he would come, greet people, meet a few individuals, and leave.”
The situation escalated to the political level. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology on her X account to both Messi and the fans and announced the creation of an investigative committee to determine responsibility for the failed organization of the event.
Messi’s visit was part of the GOAT Tour, a promotional tour across India that also includes stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The first stop in Kolkata was also marked by the unveiling of a 21-meter fiberglass statue depicting Messi lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy, a structure that took around 40 days to complete.
This was not Messi’s first time in India. He previously visited the country in 2011 with the Argentina national team, when he played a friendly match against Venezuela and was received with massive enthusiasm from local fans.
