Security operatives struggled to contain an enraged crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025, after football icon Lionel Messi abruptly left the arena during a packed fan event, sparking scenes of disorder and vandalism.
Messi, the Argentine captain and Inter Miami forward, is in India on a three-day visit as part of his widely publicised “GOAT Tour.” He arrived in West Bengal early Saturday to a rapturous welcome, with thousands of supporters chanting his name upon his arrival.
Later in the day, the excitement peaked as fans, many clad in Messi jerseys and waving Argentine flags, filled the Salt Lake Stadium in anticipation of seeing the football legend. However, tight security arrangements and poor crowd control left many spectators unable to get a clear view of the star.
Messi briefly walked around the pitch, waving to supporters, before leaving the stadium earlier than expected. His premature departure angered fans, many of whom had paid heavily for tickets, expecting a longer appearance and a short exhibition match.
Following his exit, frustrated spectators broke through barricades, stormed the pitch, and vandalised banners and tents. Some fans ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the running track as security personnel shielded themselves with chairs in an attempt to restore order.
“For me, watching Messi is a dream. But due to mismanagement, I couldn’t even get a proper glimpse of him,” said Nabin Chatterjee, a 37-year-old businessman who attended the event.
Before the situation escalated, Messi had unveiled a towering 21-metre statue depicting him holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, a moment that initially drew thunderous applause from the crowd.
Another disgruntled fan, Ajay Shah, said he spent a significant portion of his income to attend the event with his son. “I came to watch Messi, not politicians. The security personnel were busy taking selfies, and the organisers completely failed,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the situation as “shocking” and expressed deep regret over the mismanagement. She offered an apology to Messi and his fans and announced that an official probe had been ordered to investigate what went wrong.
Despite the chaos in Kolkata, Messi is expected to continue his India tour, with scheduled stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. His visit may also include a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The football star is coming off another successful year, having won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title. He is also set to captain Argentina in their World Cup title defence in June and July next year in North America.
The Kolkata incident has, however, cast a shadow over what was intended to be a celebratory visit by one of football’s greatest icons, raising serious concerns about event planning and crowd management.
