Celebration turns chaotic as Messi exits Kolkata event in 10 minutes, fans erupt in anger

What was billed as a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for football fans in Kolkata spiralled into chaos on December 12 as Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati (Salt Lake) Stadium lasted less than 10 minutes, sparking anger, protests and scenes of disorder inside the venue.

Thousands of supporters, many of whom paid ₹5,000 and above for tickets, were left stunned and disappointed when the Argentine icon’s interaction with the crowd was abruptly curtailed amid overcrowding, confusion and apparent mismanagement.

Eyewitnesses said Messi’s planned lap of the stadium failed to materialise after he was quickly surrounded by politicians, officials, celebrities and their family members, along with a heavy paparazzi presence. The congestion around the World Cup winner grew so intense that his security team abandoned the lap altogether, sharply limiting his visibility to the general public in the stands.

As word spread that Messi would not remain on the field for long, tensions rose. The situation boiled over after the football legend was escorted out under heavy security within minutes of his arrival. Sections of the crowd began protesting, hurling bottles, damaging hoardings and forcing security personnel to intervene to restore order.

For many fans who had arrived at the stadium early in the morning, the fleeting glimpse of their idol felt like a betrayal of expectations built over months. Visuals of agitated supporters and vandalised signage soon flooded social media, starkly contrasting with the festive build-up that had accompanied Messi’s arrival in the city earlier in the day.

“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then? We paid ₹12,000, but we couldn’t even see his face,” a disappointed fan said after the incident.

Another supporter echoed the anger: “It was an absolutely pathetic event. He came for just ten minutes. Politicians, ministers and corporate officials surrounded him. He didn’t take a kick, no penalty, nothing. They even said Shah Rukh Khan would come, but he didn’t. It was a complete fraud — people’s money, emotions and time were wasted.”

The unrest cast a shadow over what had begun as a celebratory day for Kolkata. The city, the first stop on Messi’s three-day India tour covering Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, had welcomed the global football icon with massive enthusiasm. Messi arrived shortly after midnight on December 13 to cheering crowds outside the airport, marking his return to India after more than a decade.

Following the chaos at Salt Lake Stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology on X, expressing shock over the mismanagement and regret over the disappointment caused to fans and the footballer.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans,” Banerjee wrote.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she added.

The Chief Minister announced the formation of an enquiry committee headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs) as members. The panel will conduct a detailed probe, fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.

Earlier in the day, Messi had virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town alongside West Bengal minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He was also scheduled to meet Mamata Banerjee and former India captain Sourav Ganguly later in the day.

However, in the aftermath of the unrest and escalating security concerns, Messi reportedly left for the Kolkata airport ahead of schedule, cutting short his remaining engagements before departing for Hyderabad — leaving behind a city grappling with disappointment instead of celebration.