What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for football fans in Kolkata turned into a story of frustration, chaos and dark humor after Lionel Messi’s much-hyped visit to the city ended in disappointment for thousands at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Among them was one fan who claimed to have paid Rs 10,000 for a ticket only to leave the stadium without seeing the Argentine superstar even once. His consolation prize was unexpected. Amidst the confusion, he left the venue with a piece of carpet.
“I bought tickets for Rs 10,000. I didn’t see Messi, but instead I saw politicians that we end up seeing every day,” said the fan, requesting anonymity. “Don’t show my face. Now we’ll practice,” he added, referring to the rug he took home.
Messi’s visit, part of the much-hyped GOAT Tour, lasted just 22 minutes and quickly turned into a mess. Fans who had been waiting for hours became restless when the football icon failed to make a real impact on the pitch. A security breakdown ensued as angry supporters broke through barricades and stormed restricted areas.
The situation worsened moments after Messi briefly emerged from the tunnel. Bottles were thrown, fiberglass seats damaged, and the police tried to control the crowd. Several fans vented their anger by vandalizing parts of the stadium, while others simply tried to salvage something from an experience gone badly wrong.
High-ranking guests also bore the brunt of the event’s chaos shortened and the organizers took Messi away to be safe.
Promoter Satadru Datta and security staff quickly escorted Messi out as political supporters entered the pitch, turning the stadium into a scene of confusion and confrontation.
For fans who paid a fortune, the day ended in anger and disbelief. Instead of memories of Messi, many left with videos of chaos, damaged property and, in one case, a stolen carpet, summing up a visit that was remembered for mess rather than magic.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
December 13, 2025
