Lionel Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour India 2025 turned chaotic after the football legend left early, triggering angry protests by fans at Salt Lake Stadium over poor event management, high ticket prices and unfulfilled promises
Massive chaos as Messi enters stadium in Kolkata. (Pic/Screengrab from X)
Lionel Messi's Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour turned into absolute chaos on Saturday as soon as Messi entered the field. Fans who paid hefty amounts for tickets at Salt Lake Stadium's event began throwing bottles and attempting to break the gates between the stands after the Argentine legend left early, reported ANI.
Angry football fans resorted to vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, alleging poor event management.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, angry fans further accused the ministers and politicians of hogging Messi's time and not delivering on promises like getting Cine Star Shah Rukh Khan at the event, reported ANI.
VIDEO | Kolkata: Angry fans vandalise Salt Lake Stadium, hurl chairs at security personnel alleging poor management as Argentine footballer Lionel Messi leaves the venue during his G.O.A.T. India Tour.#LionelMessi #GOATIndiaTour #Kolkata
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/u4rwPYRreL
One of the fans who has been waiting to have a glimpse of Messi, while expressing his anger, stated that, "It's an absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn't bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything," as cited by news agency ANI.
Fans show disbelief
Another fan who got extremely disappointed emphasised, "We are very disappointed... My child was very excited to see Messi... I think it's a scam for the people. When Messi arrived, everyone surrounded him."
Furthermore, one angry fan also claimed that he had bought a ticket for Rs 12 thousand but didn't see Lionel Messi's face during the event.
He added, "Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi... Why did they call us then...? We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face," reported ANI.
Another fan, while expressing their opinion about the poor management for Messi’s Kolkata appearance, highlighted, "Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn't bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything," as per ANI.
Earlier, Messi virtually inaugurated a 70-foot-tall statue of himself at Lake Town in Kolkata on Saturday, along with West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose.
The Argentine football legend arrived in the City of Joy early on Saturday morning to an overwhelming reception from fans. Enthusiastic supporters gathered in large numbers across key locations in Kolkata, eager to catch a glimpse of the global football icon, reflecting the immense popularity Messi enjoys in the country, particularly in West Bengal.
(With inputs from ANI)
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