G.O.A.T. Event
'Messi was uncomfortable, lost his cool!': Ex-India footballer reveals what really happened at chaotic Kolkata stadium
Kolkata/IBNS: Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 began on a chaotic note in Kolkata on Saturday, as severe mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium led to fan outrage, vandalism, and an early exit by the Argentine football icon.
Chaos unfolded moments after Messi stepped out of his white luxury car and entered the field, where he was immediately surrounded by hundreds of people, including police personnel and influential figures, effectively blocking the view for nearly 80,000 spectators.
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was seen closely accompanying Messi along with international footballers Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, with several individuals allegedly forcing selfies and photographs.
As visuals circulated on social media, family members of the minister and relatives of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also spotted around Messi at the centre of the field, while ticket-paying fans waited in vain for a glimpse of the footballer.
Former India international Lalkamal Bhowmick, who was playing in the exhibition match between Mohun Bagan Messi XI and Diamond Harbour Messi XI, revealed that Messi appeared visibly uncomfortable amid the disorder.
"Everything was going fine at the start as Messi walked into the stadium. He seemed relaxed, smiling, and shaking hands with all of us. He even gave autographs without hesitation," Bhowmick said speaking to Sports Now and added, "The moment too many people rushed onto the field and started clicking pictures, he became visibly uncomfortable."
"It got overcrowded very quickly, and we could see his reaction change as everyone around him started clicking pictures. He began showing signs of irritation, lost his cool, and everything went out of control," he added.
The overcrowding quickly spiralled out of control prompting Messi’s security team to escort him off the field despite repeated requests for him to stay. His sudden departure left fans feeling “betrayed”.
Uncertainty over Messi’s return triggered widespread unrest. Angry spectators began hurling plastic bottles, followed by chairs, leading to large-scale vandalism.
Barricades were broken, parts of the field were stormed, and property inside the stadium was damaged. Two large tents erected on the field—allegedly for the comfort of dignitaries and obstructing spectator views—were later set on fire.
Police largely exercised restraint as security forces struggled for nearly an hour to bring the situation under control.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly were scheduled to share the stage with Messi, but the programme was cut short as the event descended into chaos, drawing national criticism.
Event organiser Satadru Dutta, arrested later in the day, has been remanded to 14 days of police custody.
While the Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the mismanagement, questions persist over how hundreds of people—including relatives of political figures—were allowed such close access to Messi.
Messi later continued with the other legs of the event in Hyderabad and Mumbai over the weekend without any incident.
(Photos: Rupak De Chowdhuri and Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
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