Messi, 38, who is on a three-day visit to India as part of a so-called “GOAT Tour,” arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday to a rapturous welcome from fans chanting his name.
Chaos erupted at a football stadium in India after thousands of angry spectators broke through barricades and stormed the pitch when Argentine football icon Lionel Messi abruptly left the arena amid tight security and poor crowd management.
Messi, 38, who is on a three-day visit to India as part of a so-called “GOAT Tour,” arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday to a rapturous welcome from fans chanting his name.
Hours later, excitement turned to anger at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where thousands of supporters wearing Messi jerseys and waving Argentine flags had gathered in hopes of seeing the Inter Miami superstar up close.
However, heavy security around the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward prevented most fans from getting a clear view of him. Messi reportedly walked briefly around the pitch, waved at spectators and left the stadium earlier than expected.
The sudden exit sparked outrage among fans, many of whom had paid more than $100 for tickets.
In protest, frustrated spectators ripped out stadium seats, hurled water bottles onto the track and vandalised banners and tents. Several fans also broke through security barricades and invaded the pitch.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I missed the chance to even catch a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” 37-year-old businessman Nabin Chatterjee told AFP.
Before the chaos, Messi had unveiled a towering 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself holding the World Cup trophy. He was also expected to feature in a short exhibition match at the venue, which never took place.
Another fan, Ajay Shah, told India’s Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” just to see the football legend.
“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. Police and military personnel were busy taking selfies, and the organisers are to blame,” Shah said.
Javed Shamim, a senior police official in the state, confirmed that the “chief organiser” of the event had been arrested, though he declined to provide further details.
“There is total normalcy now,” Shamim said, adding that authorities would explore how ticket buyers could be refunded.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as deeply embarrassing, apologising publicly to Messi and fans.
“I am disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi and to all sports lovers and his fans for the unfortunate incident,” Banerjee said in a post on X, announcing that a probe had been ordered.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) distanced itself from the event, saying it played no role in organising or approving it.
“This was a private event. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning or execution, and no clearance was sought from the Federation,” the AIFF said in a statement.
Messi is expected to continue his India tour with stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, where a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been mentioned.
The Argentine captain recently won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title and finishing as the league’s top scorer.
Messi is also set to lead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup title at the tournament scheduled for June–July in North America.