Messi’s India Visit Turns Chaotic as Angry Fans Protest in Kolkata
Many football fans in India were left angry and heartbroken after Lionel Messi’s appearance in Kolkata ended in chaos, according to BBC News. Thousands of people paid a lot of money just to see Messi in person at Salt Lake Stadium, but what they got was very disappointing, the BBC reports
As explained by BBC News, some tickets cost as much as 12,000 rupees, which is about a month’s salary for many fans. People came from different parts of India with high hopes of seeing the football legend play or at least spend quality time on the pitch. Instead, Messi only walked around briefly and was mostly hidden by politicians, celebrities, and security officers, the BBC says.
When Messi was taken away after about 20 minutes, the crowd became angry. According to BBC News, some fans ripped stadium seats, threw bottles and chairs, and even ran onto the pitch. The situation quickly got out of control, shocking many people watching both at the stadium and online.
West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by what happened, the BBC reports. She apologised to Messi and football fans and announced an official enquiry to find out what went wrong and how to prevent this in the future, as stated by BBC News.
A spokesperson for Messi told the BBC that he followed the agreement made before the event and stayed for the planned time. The spokesperson also pointed to the apology made by the chief minister, showing that the organisers, not Messi, were responsible for the poor planning, according to BBC News.
The BBC reports that police have arrested the main organiser of the event. Authorities are also looking into how fans who bought tickets can get refunds. The All India Football Federation made it clear, via BBC News, that it had nothing to do with the event because it was privately organised.
Messi is currently in India for his “GOAT Tour,” visiting cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, the BBC explains. His visit started with a huge 70-foot statue of him in Kolkata, which took weeks to build. Due to security reasons, Messi appeared virtually at the statue unveiling, according to BBC News.
Many fans told local media, as quoted by the BBC, that they felt cheated. Some said they came to see Messi, not politicians taking selfies. Others said the poor organisation and crowd control ruined what should have been a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
This incident, as covered by BBC News, shows a bigger problem with celebrity events in many countries. Fans are often promised unforgettable experiences, but poor planning and too much focus on VIPs can turn excitement into anger.
The Kolkata chaos is a reminder that when people pay hard-earned money, especially in large numbers, organisers must put fans first or risk losing trust forever.
Despite the chaos, the BBC notes that Messi remains hugely loved in India. The massive turnout proves how powerful football is, even in a cricket-loving country. But this event also teaches a clear lesson: passion without proper planning can quickly turn into frustration.
Credit : BBC