Angry scenes erupted during Lionel Messi’s visit to India after frustrated fans at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium ripped up seats and hurled objects toward the pitch.
Thousands of supporters, many of whom had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133), were hoping for a close glimpse of the football icon. However, their excitement turned to disappointment when Messi only walked briefly around the field and was largely hidden behind a large group of officials and celebrities.
Tensions escalated further when the Argentina and Inter Miami star was escorted away by security after roughly 20 minutes, prompting sections of the crowd to turn hostile.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident.
Announcing an enquiry, Banerjee apologised to Messi and “sports lovers” for the incident at the stadium.
“The enquiry committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future,” the chief minister wrote on X.
A spokesperson for Messi said the footballer had fulfilled the time commitment agreed in advance. Regarding the organisation of the event, the spokesperson referred the BBC to Banerjee’s apology shared on social media.
A police official told reporters that the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, without providing further details, AFP reported. The official added that authorities would examine how organisers could refund money to ticket holders.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it had no involvement in the “private event”.
Messi is visiting India as part of his ‘GOAT (greatest of all time) Tour’, a series of promotional appearances in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
The tour began in Kolkata with the unveiling of a 70ft (21m) statue of the football star, assembled over 27 days by a 45-member team. Messi appeared virtually at the unveiling due to security concerns.
Thousands of fans travelled to the city’s stadium hoping to see the Argentine in person, chanting his name, buying jerseys and wearing “I love Messi” headbands.
Messi briefly walked onto the pitch, waving to supporters, but after his appearance was abruptly cut short on Saturday, some frustrated fans rushed onto the field and vandalised banners and tents, while others threw plastic chairs and water bottles.
According to AFP, the 2022 World Cup winner — widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time — had been expected to take part in a short exhibition match at the stadium.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they even invite us?” one fan at the stadium told Indian news agency ANI. “We paid 12,000 rupees for tickets, but we couldn’t even see his face.”
Another frustrated supporter told the Press Trust of India that many fans had spent the equivalent of a month’s salary to watch the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I paid Rs 5,000 for a ticket and came with my son to see Messi, not politicians,” the fan said. “The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame.”
Messi was accompanied during his brief appearance by Inter Miami teammate and Uruguay international Luis Suárez, as well as Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.
According to Reuters, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan also met Messi earlier in the day.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, has a passionate football following in a country otherwise dominated by cricket.
In the city, it’s common to see hundreds of thousands of fans flock to stadiums for local club derbies. Early on Saturday, thousands lined the streets and gathered outside the hotel where Messi was staying, hoping for a glimpse of the superstar.
Hitesh, a 24-year-old corporate lawyer, had travelled nearly 1,900 kilometres from Bengaluru in southern India.
“For me, it’s personal. I’m quite short, and I love playing football with my friends,” Hitesh told the BBC while standing in front of the statue. “Messi is the player I connect with the most — no one matches his talent. He gives me hope that with skill, you can achieve anything.”
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