Lionel Messi’s trip to India descended into utter chaos as thousands of irate fans launched a pitch invasion and threw bottles after failing to catch a glimpse of the football icon. Huge crowds waited past midnight to welcome the Argentine superstar on the opening leg of his GOAT India Tour 2025, a three-day, four-city itinerary billed as a landmark moment for Indian football.
Messi landed at 2.26am, triggering scenes of near hysteria as fans sprinted between airport gates, chanting his name and waving Argentina flags. Escorted under heavy security alongside Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was swiftly moved from the VIP entrance to his hotel
The Hyatt Regency quickly became the epicentre of what organisers called “Messi mania,” with barricades, drums, flashing phone cameras and fans camping overnight in the lobby. Some supporters even booked rooms in hopes of catching a closer glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The tour was designed to showcase Messi across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, with scheduled meetings involving Bollywood stars, business leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Kolkata, Messi was formally welcomed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and actor Shah Rukh Khan, a brief photo opportunity with Khan’s son AbRam drawing widespread attention online.
Saturday’s centrepiece event at Vivekananda Yuvabharati Salt Lake Stadium, however, quickly unravelled. Thousands of ticket-holders, many of whom paid more than Rs 5,000, packed the venue expecting a lap of honour, exhibition moments and a celebratory tribute show. Messi was expected to greet fans from the pitch.
However, congestion around the player proved overwhelming. Surrounded by politicians, officials, celebrities and photographers, Messi’s security team abruptly abandoned the planned lap, citing safety concerns. His appearance was reduced to a brief walk-on and wave before he was escorted off the field in under 10 minutes.
As word spread through the stands that Messi would not return, frustration boiled over. Fans began shouting in protest. Bottles were thrown, hoardings torn down and security personnel forced to intervene as sections of the crowd surged towards the pitch. The World Cup winner and other VIPs were rushed out under tight protection, leaving thousands of spectators stunned.
Social media was quickly flooded with images of damaged signage, flying debris and angry supporters. Many fans said they felt misled by promotional material that promised a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. One said: “We paid 12,000 rupees and couldn’t even see his face. No kick, no penalty, nothing.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later expressed shock at the scenes and apologised publicly. In a post on X, she said the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium was “deeply disturbing” and announced a formal enquiry headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray to fix responsibility and prevent a repeat.
Organiser Satadru Dutta described Messi’s visit as historic, citing his recent World Cup triumph and record eighth Ballon d’Or, and said even a brief presence could inspire Indian football. But the Kolkata fiasco has cast a shadow over the remaining legs of the tour, with authorities in Mumbai already issuing traffic advisories ahead of expected crowds.
What began as a celebration of football’s greatest star ended as a stark warning about crowd control, planning failures and the risks of overselling spectacle over substance.