Messi India tour turns chaotic as angry fans storm field, vandalize stadium
Lionel Messi’s tour of India turned ugly on Saturday when angry fans ripped up seats, threw objects, broke down barricades and stormed the field in a chaotic scene after his brief appearance at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
Thousands of fans, most wearing Messi’s No. 10 Argentina jerseys, had paid upwards of $100 to see the beloved Argentine icon and Inter Miami captain but were disappointed when he made only a 20-minute appearance, walking around the field surrounded by a large entourage and security guards.
Video from the ANI news agency showed fans ripping down promotional posters, busting through barricades, invading the pitch and hurling chairs, water bottles and other objects. Messi and his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, who traveled with him, were escorted away from the stadium.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi,” a fan told ANI. Why did they call us then? … We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees ($130), but we were not even able to see his face.”
Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the West Bengal state, was on her way to the event when the disturbance began. She apologized to Messi on social media.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee posted on X.
“I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said. “I am constituting an enquiry committee… the committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Several news outlets reported that the promoter of the event, Satadru Dutta, was arrested and a plan was being worked out to refund money to ticket holders.
Messi is in India for a three-day, four-city ‘GOAT tour’ with events planned in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
The tour began with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata. Fans also attended an “Hola Messi” fan zone with a life-sized replica of Messi on a throne and a replica of his home.
This story was originally published December 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM.