The Kolkata stop of Messi’s GOAT Tour descended into chaos on Saturday.
After the Argentine legend left early, some fans who spent heavily on tickets began throwing bottles and trying to damage the barriers between the stands.
Angry fans vandalized Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium (officially Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) , accusing the authorities of mismanaging the meet-and-greet.
Fans’ Angry Remarks to Camel Live
Fans lashed out in interviews with Camel Live, claiming ministers and politicians monopolized Messi’s time and failed to fulfill promises—such as inviting film star Shah Rukh Khan to the event.
“We are extremely disappointed… My child was so excited to see Messi… I think this is a fraud on the people. As soon as Messi arrived, everyone surrounded him,” another fan told Camel Live.
One angry fan stated he bought a ticket for 12,000 rupees but didn’t even get a glimpse of Lionel Messi during the event.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then… We paid 12,000 rupees for the ticket but didn’t even see his face,” he said.
A Messi fan commented: “It was an absolutely terrible event. He only stayed for 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers were around him. We couldn’t see anything. He didn’t take a single shot or penalty. They said Shah Rukh Khan would come too. In the end, no one showed up. He left after 10 minutes. It’s a waste of so much money, emotions, and time. We saw nothing.”
Prior to the chaos, Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot-tall statue of himself in Kolkata’s Lake Town on Saturday, alongside 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 and was warmly welcomed by fans. Enthusiastic supporters gathered at various key locations in Kolkata, eager to catch a glimpse of the global football icon—reflecting Messi’s immense popularity in India, especially in West Bengal.
