Messi’s India Tour Faces Turmoil as Fans Storm Stadium

Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated tour of India began with significant unrest on March 25, 2025, as frustrated fans stormed the field of Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Many attendees, who had purchased tickets in hopes of seeing the Argentine soccer star, expressed disappointment after waiting for hours without catching more than a fleeting glimpse of him. Reports indicate that several ticket-holders did not see Messi at all, either in person or on the stadium’s large screens.

In response to the chaos, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology to Messi, acknowledging the “mismanagement” of the event. On social media, she expressed her shock and sorrow, stating, “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium.” Banerjee also extended her apologies to the fans, many of whom had high hopes for the event after purchasing tickets.

To address the incident, Banerjee announced the formation of a committee tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry into the situation. The committee will aim to identify those responsible for the chaos and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The turmoil began as irate fans, many wearing Messi’s Argentina jersey, reacted by throwing seats from the stands and breaching security barriers to access the field. As tensions escalated, overwhelmed security personnel struggled to manage the situation, ultimately forcing the crowd back. By that time, Messi had already left the stadium.

Messi’s tour, dubbed the “GOAT India Tour,” is set to take him from Kolkata to Hyderabad, and then on to Mumbai, concluding in New Delhi on March 27, 2025. Joining him on this tour are his longtime teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Earlier in the day, Messi had remotely unveiled a 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata, a gesture that had been part of the tour’s promotional activities.

The incident underscores the challenges of managing large-scale events, particularly when dealing with high-profile figures like Messi, whose fanbase is vast and passionate. As authorities investigate the events that transpired at Salt Lake Stadium, many are left wondering how such an experience could have been improved to meet the expectations of fans eager to see their idol.