Fans vandalise Indian stadium after Messi’s abrupt exit

Security personnel try to control the crowd as Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi departs from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Thousands of fans packed into a stadium in eastern India on December 13 to cheer on Lionel Messi as the football legend unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

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Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.

As part of the so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.

Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed Salt Lake Stadium in the state capital, Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left many struggling to catch a glimpse of him.

Messi walked around the pitch, waved to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.

Frustrated supporters, many of whom had paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.

Others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.

“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.

Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue depicting him holding aloft the World Cup.

He was also expected to play a short exhibition match at the stadium.

Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.

“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” Ajay Shah told PTI.

Javed Shamim, a senior state police official, told reporters that the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, without providing further details.

“There is total normalcy,” he said, adding that authorities would look into how organisers could refund money to ticket holders.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” by the mismanagement.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.

Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.

His visit to India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title and finishing as the league’s top scorer.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is expected to spearhead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup in June and July in North America.

AFP

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