Kolkata, India : What began as a historic celebration quickly spiraled into chaos during Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 in Kolkata on Friday, as enraged fans vandalized Salt Lake Stadium following the football legend’s unexpectedly brief appearance.
Messi arrived in Kolkata amid massive fanfare at approximately 2:26 a.m., with thousands lining the streets and airport to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar. However, tensions flared later in the day after Messi appeared on the field for just five minutes following an exhibition match, triggering widespread frustration among the packed crowd.
Eyewitnesses reported fans breaking stadium seats, hurling bottles and chairs, storming the pitch, and damaging parts of the event stage. Security personnel struggled to regain control as the situation deteriorated, forcing Messi to leave the venue early for safety reasons.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology over the incident and ordered an official inquiry into crowd management failures. In a major development, Satadru Dutta, the event’s main organizer, was arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with alleged mismanagement and safety lapses.
🧠 Key People Involved
Lionel Messi – Football Icon
Mamata Banerjee – Chief Minister, West Bengal
Satadru Dutta – Event Organizer (Arrested)
Luis Suárez – Footballer
Rodrigo De Paul – Footballer
Sourav Ganguly – Former Indian Cricketer
Shah Rukh Khan – Actor (Expected Interaction)
Despite the turmoil, Messi—accompanied by fellow football stars Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul—has moved on to Hyderabad for the next leg of the GOAT India Tour, where a 7v7 friendly match is scheduled under heightened security. High-profile interactions with Indian icons Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan are also expected during the tour.
The incident has sparked nationwide debate over crowd control, celebrity event planning, and the growing frenzy surrounding global sports icons in India.
