What Happened on Messi’s Kolkata Day: Overcrowding, VIP Blockade and Fan Anger Explained

Kolkata has long prided itself on being India’s football capital, a city where the game is followed with near-religious devotion. That identity, however, took a serious blow on December 13, when Lionel Messi’s much-publicised appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium descended into chaos, violence and public anger, exposing glaring failures in planning, crowd control and administrative judgment.

What was promoted as a landmark celebration under the GOAT India Tour 2025 ended within 22 minutes, leaving nearly 60,000 spectators frustrated, angry and, in many cases, feeling cheated. The question is no longer what went wrong, but how so many warning signs were ignored.

A Star Arrives, Disorder Follows

Messi arrived at the stadium around 11.30 am, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. According to former India midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick, who was part of the exhibition match, the Argentine superstar appeared relaxed initially — smiling, greeting former players, signing autographs and engaging warmly.

That calm did not last.

The moment large numbers of people began rushing onto the field — politicians, organisers, VIPs, aides and selfie-seekers — the atmosphere changed. Overcrowding around Messi increased rapidly, with dozens of people surrounding him at close quarters, blocking movement and visibility.

Bhowmick later revealed that Messi became visibly uncomfortable as chaos grew. His body language changed, irritation became apparent, and he struggled to maintain composure as phones were thrust at him from all sides. His security team, along with Suárez and De Paul, were reportedly unhappy with the lack of control and growing disorder.

What should have been a carefully choreographed walkaround became a security risk.

Fans Shut Out, VIPs Take Over

Inside the stadium, frustration was mounting. Thousands of fans — many of whom had paid between ₹4,000 and ₹12,000, with several spending up to ₹20,000–₹25,000 in the black market — found themselves unable to get even a clear glimpse of Messi.

A human barricade of VVIPs, ministers, political leaders, officials and security personnel formed around the footballer, effectively ensuring that the paying public saw everything except the star attraction. Several spectators later told the media that they watched Messi for barely five to seven minutes — often only on the giant screen.

The irony was not lost on the crowd: this was a ticketed public event, yet access appeared reserved for the powerful and connected.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia openly criticised the handling of the event, pointing to VIP culture and poor crowd management as reasons genuine fans were denied a proper view.

Early Exit and a Stadium on Edge

Messi remained on the ground for only 20–25 minutes — far less than the near two-hour programme that had been advertised. His planned lap of honour was cut short as security concerns escalated.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and chief organiser Satadru Dutta reportedly requested Messi to stay back longer. Administration officials were present as well. However, according to ABP Ananda, Messi’s team refused all such requests, unwilling to take any risk given the law-and-order situation developing inside the stadium.

By the time Messi was escorted out, anger among spectators had reached boiling point.

From Celebration to Violence

The mood shifted dramatically once news spread that Messi had left early. Disappointed fans began shouting slogans, uprooting plastic chairs, throwing bottles and food packets onto the pitch, and attempting to breach barricades. Parts of the stadium were vandalised, including canopies erected for Messi. Even the Chief Minister’s enclosure was damaged, with attempts reportedly made to set portions of it on fire before police intervened.

Police were forced to conduct a large-scale lathi charge and deploy the Rapid Action Force to regain control. Several people, including police personnel, were injured. No deaths were reported, but the scale of unrest marked one of the ugliest scenes at a sporting event in the city in years.

Outside the stadium, distraught fans spoke of betrayal. One spectator told PTI he had left his own wedding just to see Messi, only to return home without even a glimpse. Others demanded refunds, saying they had been “scammed” despite paying premium prices.

Political Storm and Organiser Arrest

The fallout was swift and political. BJP leaders launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal government, accusing it of gross mismanagement. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called the incident a “criminal assault on West Bengal’s pride,” alleging exploitation of fans and VIP excess. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi described the episode as something that had “ashamed every Indian.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology, expressing shock over the mismanagement and announcing a high-level inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge to fix responsibility and recommend preventive measures.

Meanwhile, police arrested event organiser Satadru Dutta after an FIR was lodged. In a dramatic development, Dutta was stopped from leaving Kolkata at the airport while accompanying Messi’s entourage. He was asked to deplane and was later taken into custody as investigations began. Police officials confirmed that processes were underway, even as Dutta reportedly offered assurances of refunds to spectators.

A Tale of Two Cities

The contrast with the next leg of the tour could not have been starker. In Hyderabad, Messi’s appearance unfolded smoothly — better crowd control, tighter security, controlled VIP access and clear sightlines. Fans there witnessed a full lap of honour and longer interaction, prompting many to ask why similar standards were not enforced in Kolkata.

The Real Issue

This was never about Messi losing his temper or fans behaving irrationally. The real issue lay in poor planning, unchecked VIP culture, inflated promises and a failure to respect the paying public. When organisers prioritise optics and access for the elite over safety and fan experience, chaos becomes inevitable.

Kolkata’s love for football remains unquestioned. But December 13 will be remembered as a cautionary tale — a reminder that global icons demand global standards, and that no amount of star power can compensate for mismanagement. The city deserved better. The fans deserved better. And Indian football deserved a moment of pride, not embarrassment.

Also Read: Chaos Erupts at Lionel Messi’s Kolkata Event: Organiser Arrested, CM Apologises