India, 13 December 2025 — The much-anticipated international tour of Lionel Messi in India turned into an episode of violence, frustration, and accusations of poor organization this Saturday. Thousands of fans gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata rioted after the early departure of the Argentine star, causing material damage and the detention of the event's main organizer.
The incident occurred at the first stop of the so-called GOAT India Tour 2025, a three-day tour planned to celebrate the 38-year-old Argentine footballer, World Cup champion, and Inter Miami star. After greeting the audience, the Argentine quickly left the stadium, unleashing the anger of the attendees.
The frustration of the fans turned into urban disorder in a matter of minutes: seats were broken, objects were thrown, and attacks on facilities and banners were recorded inside the stadium, forcing security forces to intervene to control the situation.
The West Bengal Police confirmed that the event's main organizer, Satadru Dutta, was detained under charges related to the "total mismanagement" of the show that led to confrontations and riots.
Despite the chaos in Kolkata, Messi and his delegation continued the tour and traveled to Hyderabad, where the Argentine star met with local authorities and is expected to participate in sports and social activities planned as part of the GOAT India Tour.
Despite the enormous expectation generated in the state of West Bengal—where a statue of the player over 21 meters tall was even unveiled—the day at the stadium ended in chaos when Messi made a brief appearance and left the venue ahead of schedule.
According to images shared on social networks and local media reports, fans began throwing bottles, chairs, and other objects onto the field of play, and even invaded part of the pitch in protest, as they had not been able to clearly see their idol despite having paid up to 10,000 rupees (equivalent to over 100 dollars) for their tickets.
The discontent originated when Messi, accompanied by his teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, took a brief tour of the field, limited by strong security measures and surrounded by politicians and VIP figures, which reduced the visibility of the crowd in the stands.
Authorities also announced that an investigation will be initiated to identify responsibilities and ensure refunds to affected spectators.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, issued a public statement apologizing to Messi and the fans for what happened, describing the situation as "deeply disturbing and shocking".
Additionally, she ordered the formation of a high-level investigation committee to analyze the causes of the incident, establish responsibilities, and propose measures to prevent similar events from happening in the future.
Meanwhile, thousands of attendees expressed their open disappointment both at the stadium and on digital platforms, emphasizing that many had waited for hours in great anticipation without being able to fully enjoy the presence of the footballer.
