Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated “GOAT Tour” in India took a tumultuous turn on Saturday as chaos erupted during his brief appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Fans, frustrated by limited access to the football icon, reacted with unrest, throwing ripped-up seats and attempting to invade the pitch.
Messi’s visit is part of a multi-city tour that includes stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. However, the event’s kickoff was marred by disorder, forcing Messi’s appearance to be cut short to just 20 minutes. Originally intended to celebrate the unveiling of a monumental 70-foot statue, reportedly the largest of a footballer ever created, the atmosphere quickly soured.
Accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi stepped onto the pitch to loud chants from fans who were eager to catch a glimpse of their hero. However, many were disappointed by the substantial barriers that restricted their view, leading to an outpouring of frustration. “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi,” one fan expressed to ANI news agency, lamenting, “Why did they call us then? We paid 12,000 rupees ($130) for tickets, but we were not even able to see his face.”
As the situation escalated, local law enforcement struggled to maintain order. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction vocally and physically, prompting a stark response from regional officials. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, issued an immediate apology to both Messi and his fans, condemning the mismanagement at the event. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” she stated via social media, expressing her regret for the incident and the disappointment it caused among sports enthusiasts.
Banerjee announced the formation of an enquiry committee to investigate the disturbances, aiming to identify the causes of the chaos and propose measures to avert similar incidents in the future. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans for the unfortunate incident,” she added.
In reaction to the uproar, the Indian Football Federation expressed its concern regarding the fiasco, clarifying that it had no involvement in the planning of the event and attributed accountability to the public relations agency responsible for organizing the tour. The unrest during Messi’s appearance serves as a stark reminder of the passionate, yet sometimes overwhelming, enthusiasm of fans eager to connect with the sporting legends they idolize.
