How Messi mania turned into mess at Kolkatas Salt Lake Stadium
Lionel Messi's brief visit to Kolkata descended into chaos as angry fans broke security protocols after failing to catch even a glimpse of the world's most popular footballer.
New Delhi: Law and order broke down at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday morning as Lionel Messi's brief visit to the City of Joy as part of the India Goat Tour 2025 turned chaotic. An elaborate visit was cut short after the scores of fans in the stadium failed to catch even a glimpse of the world's most popular footballer.
Messi, who was supposed to take a tour of the entire stadium with fans waiting to see their favourite superstar, spent merely 22 minutes before moving out as the visit turned into a virtual nightmare as disorder prevailed inside the stadium. Fans, who had purchased tickets worth thousands, were agitated throwing water bottles and breaking chairs.
Mismanagement of crowd leads to chaos
Argentina football star Lionel Messi arrived at the stadium when a 'legendary match' was going on at the venue. As soon as the football giant emerged from the tunnel, the situation went out of control as the authorities deployed their failed to control the crowd which was in large numbers.
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who had arrived in Kolkata for the special event, along with former India captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were not able to be a part of the programme as the event had to be cut short amid the chaos, which couldn't' be take care of.
Situation turns chaotic, Messi whisked away
The situation tuned so much chaotic that the promoter of the 'GOAT Tour’ Shatadru Datta, along with security personnel, had to whisk Messi away as the Salt Lake Stadium turned into a scene of political one-upmanship, with supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress breaching security and entering the field of play.
Fans, who had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for tickets to watch the Argentine star, hurled bottles and damaged fibreglass seats, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control.
What next for Messi?
As per latest media reports, Messi has been taken to the Kolkata airport from where he will take a flight to Hyderabad which is his next destination as part of the India tour. He is scheduled to participate in an exhibition match for five minutes at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.