Lionel Messi’s promotional trip to India descended into chaos this morning when fans hurled chairs onto the pitch at the Salt Lake Stadium to express their anger at the brief appearance of the Argentina superstar.
The plan was for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to do a lap of honour to show his appreciation for the adulation afforded him in the city but the event, part of Messi’s GOAT Tour, was cut short when fans complained he was barely visible.
Tempers quickly rose and chairs and bottles began raining down from the stands, prompting organisers to usher Messi away.
An angry fan told ANI: “Seeing the utter chaos, the management, the authorities, it was absolutely rubbish. All the people you see here love football. We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money back.
“The management was so bad. It is a black day for Kolkata. Kolkata is known for football, and we love football, we love Argentina, but this experience is absolutely a scam. The ministers were there with their children, and the other people could not see anything. We are very hurt.”
Another said: “Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn’t see anything. He didn’t take a single kick or a single penalty. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything.”
Official apologises to Messi after stadium chaos
It was a sad conclusion to Messi’s appearance in Kolkata that had earlier seen him unveil a towering 70-foot statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered an apology to the Inter Miami forward, who last week helped his club secure their maiden MLS Cup triumph.
She wrote on X: “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.
“I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
The tour, which also features Messi’s Miami team-mates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, moves on to Hyderabad later today.
