News Desk, Asom Barta, December 13– Football legend Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated India tour kicked off in disaster at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, as frustrated fans rioted after the Argentine star’s appearance lasted just 20-22 minutes.Part of the GOAT India Tour 2025, the event saw around 50,000 ticket-holding spectators unable to get a clear view of Messi, who was surrounded by politicians, celebrities, officials, and security personnel throughout his short lap of honour.Enraged fans ripped up seats, threw bottles and chairs onto the pitch, vandalised banners, and invaded restricted areas, forcing police to intervene with mild force. The chaos erupted shortly after Messi was escorted out for security reasons, cutting short what was meant to be a longer interaction.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock over the “mismanagement,” issuing a public apology to Messi and fans on social media. She announced a high-level probe and ordered refunds for disappointed ticket holders.Police detained the main organiser, Satadru Dutta, at Kolkata airport while he was en route to Hyderabad, Messi’s next stop. Authorities blamed poor crowd management and promised strict action.Eyewitnesses reported that VIPs and politicians dominated the field, blocking views for paying fans who had shelled out thousands of rupees for tickets. Social media erupted with videos of the unrest, drawing comparisons to past stadium incidents in Kolkata.Despite the turmoil, Messi proceeded to Hyderabad, where the event reportedly went smoothly. The tour continues in Mumbai and Delhi, but the Kolkata fiasco has raised questions about organisation and security for the remaining legs.This marks Messi’s first India visit since 2011, highlighting the immense passion for football in the country – and the challenges of managing such events.
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