When Lionel Messi, the global football icon and World Cup winner, announced his highly anticipated "GOAT India Tour," excitement swept across the subcontinent. Fans from all corners of India eagerly awaited the opportunity to witness the Argentine maestro in person, with the tour slated for four major cities: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Accompanied by longstanding teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s presence promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for Indian football enthusiasts.
But as the tour kicked off in Kolkata on December 13, 2025, at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, what was meant to be a jubilant celebration of football quickly spiraled into chaos. Over 100,000 fans crammed into the stadium, many having paid hefty sums for tickets, and waited for hours in anticipation. The fervor and excitement, however, soon gave way to frustration and disorder as the event’s organization faltered under the weight of overwhelming demand and poor crowd management.
According to reports from the Associated Press and The Times of India, the first signs of trouble emerged even before Messi set foot on the pitch. Organizers attempted to keep the restless crowd engaged with a 35-minute exhibition match featuring local legends. Players from Mohun Bagan Messi XI and Diamond Harbour Messi XI, all donning the iconic No. 10 jersey, delighted the crowd, with former India midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick among those taking part. "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 told Sports Now.
Yet, as the moment of Messi’s appearance drew near, the scene deteriorated rapidly. A swarm of politicians, VVIPs, security personnel, and hangers-on surrounded Messi, jostling for selfies and autographs. Their presence was so overwhelming that even the three giant screens installed in the stadium failed to capture clear images of Messi, leaving thousands of fans unable to catch even a glimpse of their hero. The disappointment was palpable. "The moment too many people rushed onto the field and started clicking pictures, he became visibly uncomfortable," Bhowmick recalled. "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."
The crowd’s frustration soon boiled over. Bottles were hurled, stadium seats were torn from their moorings, and angry fans stormed the field, overwhelming the already stretched security personnel. Some attempted to vandalize the stadium, while others forced their way past security fences. The stadium itself suffered damage in the ensuing chaos, and videos of the tumultuous scenes quickly spread across social media.
Many ticket holders, who had waited for hours and paid significant amounts for the chance to see Messi, left the venue dejected. Some reported that they never saw Messi at all—neither in person nor on the stadium’s big screens. The sense of letdown was widespread, with fans voicing their anger and disappointment both at the event and online. The incident left a blemish on what was supposed to be a historic day for Indian football.
West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, swiftly issued an apology to both Messi and the fans. "I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium," Banerjee posted on social media. She extended her apologies to the Argentine star and the thousands of supporters who had expected more from the event. To address the fallout, Banerjee announced that a committee would be formed to conduct a detailed enquiry, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Despite the chaos, the day was not without its moments of celebration. Earlier in the day, Messi remotely unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself in Kolkata, a testament to the city’s adoration for the football legend. The statue, towering and gleaming, was meant to symbolize Messi’s monumental impact on the sport and his special connection with fans in India. Yet, as the sun set over Salt Lake Stadium, it was clear that the day would be remembered more for its disorder than its tributes.
The next leg of the tour, held in Hyderabad, provided a stark contrast to the Kolkata debacle. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Messi was greeted by a nearly packed crowd, but this time, the event ran smoothly. Messi participated in post-match penalty shootouts, dazzling the audience with his trademark skills and composure. He also took the time to interact with the crowd, expressing his gratitude for their support and enthusiasm. The Hyderabad event demonstrated that, with proper planning and management, large-scale sporting spectacles could proceed without incident.
As the "GOAT India Tour" continued, questions lingered about what went wrong in Kolkata and how such chaos could have been avoided. Organizers faced scrutiny over security arrangements and ticketing, while fans demanded accountability for the mishandling of what should have been a joyous occasion. The tour, which still included stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, remained a topic of heated discussion across the country.
For Messi, Suárez, and De Paul, the Kolkata episode was a sobering reminder of both the adulation and the challenges that come with global superstardom. Messi’s discomfort and irritation were evident as he navigated the swarming crowds, and the incident served as a cautionary tale for future events involving high-profile athletes in India and beyond.
Still, the passion of Indian football fans was on full display, even if it sometimes spilled over into chaos. The tour’s subsequent success in Hyderabad offered hope that the remaining legs in Mumbai and New Delhi would capture the spirit of celebration that had initially inspired the "GOAT India Tour." As Messi and his teammates moved on, the football world watched closely, eager to see whether the remainder of the tour would deliver the magic that fans had so eagerly anticipated.
With the dust settling in Kolkata and the tour rolling forward, all eyes now turn to Mumbai and New Delhi. Organizers, fans, and officials alike are determined that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated. The story of Messi’s India tour is far from over—and the next chapters promise both excitement and, hopefully, redemption.
