When a Dream Turned into Disappointment: How Messi’s Kolkata Event Descended into Chaos

On December 13, 2025, Kolkata — a city where football isn’t just a sport but a way of life — was poised to host what many hoped would be a historic moment: a personal appearance by football legend Lionel Messi as part of his much-talked-about GOAT India Tour 2025. Fans from across the city and beyond flocked to the city’s iconic Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), eager to catch a glimpse of the Argentina great.

Expectations vs Reality

Ahead of the event, tickets — priced as high as ₹10,000‰ or more — sold out quickly, promising fans an opportunity to see Messi, participate in a memorable celebration of football, and witness additional attractions including celebrity guests. However, as the day unfolded, several issues quickly overshadowed those expectations:

• Massive crowd mismanagement and poor logistical planning.
• Fans could barely see Messi — he was surrounded by security, politicians, and media almost immediately upon stepping onto the field.
• The much-anticipated stadium lap and fan interaction were scrapped for safety reasons.
• Messi’s stay lasted only about 10–20 minutes, far shorter than fans had been led to expect.

These problems transformed what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience into a bitter disappointment for many in attendance.

The Chaos Inside the Stadium

Once Messi exited the venue, frustration among fans boiled over:

• People hurled bottles, ripped up seats, and damaged stadium property.
• Several fans stormed onto the pitch, breaching security barriers.
• Some attendees voiced outrage that VIPs and political figures were given priority access, blocking views for ordinary ticket-holders.

Videos and eyewitness accounts showed a scene that contrasted starkly with the festive atmosphere expected at such a marquee event — instead, the stadium resembled a protest ground.

Public Outcry and Official Response

The fallout was swift:

• Organiser Detained: The main promoter of the event was detained by police amid allegations of mismanagement.
• Refund Promises: Officials promised refunds to dissatisfied fans as anger mounted.
• Political Repercussions: West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, issued a public apology to both Messi and the fans for the chaos.
• Investigation Ordered: A formal probe was announced to uncover what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) also issued a statement expressing deep concern about the situation and clarified that the event was organized privately without its official involvement.

Fan Sentiment: From Hope to Disillusionment

Social media and news reports captured raw fan emotions:

“We paid a fortune and got nothing — no real sighting, no interaction, nothing!”
“Only VIPs got access. We felt cheated.”
“This was supposed to be a celebration of football, not a way for leaders to hog the spotlight.”

Some fans described the experience as a scam, claiming the event organizers capitalized on Messi’s name without delivering what was promised.

 Looking Ahead

Messi’s GOAT India Tour continues with planned stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, where organizers and local officials will be under pressure to ensure better crowd management and a smoother experience for fans.

While the Kolkata leg will be remembered more for its missteps than its magic, it also serves as a stark reminder of how logistics and fan experience are just as critical as star power when staging mega sports events.