Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated Kolkata leg of the G.O.A.T. Tour turned into a chaotic affair on Saturday at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, disappointing thousands of fans who paid between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000 for tickets in hopes of catching a glimpse of the football superstar. Despite his fame, many attendees expressed frustration as they struggled to see him due to the overwhelming presence of security personnel and other guests, prompting angry spectators to throw chairs and bottles in response to the overwhelming disappointment.
Messi made a brief entrance at 11:15 a.m., but his planned lap around the stadium was cut short due to the eruption of chaos. The situation deteriorated rapidly, catching the attention of high-profile guests, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, all of whom were unable to participate in the event’s proceedings.
Amid the unrest, Messi’s entourage hurriedly escorted him out for safety, as some fans even invaded the ground, vandalizing canopies set up for the occasion. One attendee described the event as an “absolute disgrace,” citing severe mismanagement.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later addressed the incident, issuing a public apology and announcing the establishment of an enquiry committee led by Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray. The committee aims to investigate the chaos, assign accountability, and propose measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Banerjee expressed her distress over the mismanagement and extended her apologies to Messi and his fans.
Following the turmoil, police and the Rapid Action Force were deployed to restore order, as fans accused local politicians of monopolizing Messi’s time, preventing the audience from fully engaging with their idol. An irate fan lamented the brief nature of Messi’s appearance, expressing disappointment after dedicating significant time and money for what amounted to a ten-minute visit.
The event’s main organizer, Satadru Dutta, has been arrested after an FIR was filed, with authorities indicating that they are considering the possibility of refunding ticket fees to upset fans.
This incident underscores the magnitude of expectation that accompanies global sports icons like Messi, and while the day’s events were disappointing for many, they served as a reminder of the passionate connection fans have with their heroes. Going forward, the authorities’ commitment to addressing and learning from this mismanagement could pave the way for better-organized events in the future, ensuring that fans can once again celebrate their sports legends without the shadow of chaos looming.