Lionel Messi is in India while his prestigious GOAT Tour dramatically turns into an ugly brawl amid widespread disappointment.
Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated GOAT Tour of India kicked off amid massive excitement in Kolkata, where tens of thousands of passionate fans flooded the streets and Salt Lake Stadium, desperate for a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner during his first visit in 14 years.
The event followed a virtual unveiling of a towering 70-foot statue depicting Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy, built by 45 artisans in just 27 days, but security fears forced the change from an in-person reveal.
Supporters shelled out up to 12,000 rupees ($133) for tickets, donning Argentina jerseys and “I love Messi” headbands, while markets buzzed with merchandise and fan zones showcased trophy replicas and a life-sized Messi throne.
Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates like Luis Suarez, the tour promised concerts, clinics and charity across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, tapping into India’s cricket-dominated sports scene where Kolkata’s football fervour rivals derbies.
That euphoria turned into an outright brawl when Lionel Messi departed after just 20 minutes, sparking fan fury that saw plastic chairs, water bottles and debris hurled onto the pitch amid chants of betrayal.
Frustrated attendees surged barriers, ripped seats and vandalised tents, blaming poor organisation as VIPs – politicians, officials and celebrities – allegedly blocked views during Messi’s brief pitch walkaround.
One father lamented to ANI: “We paid 12,000 rupees but couldn’t see his face – why invite us for leaders only?” Another called it a “scam” after travelling 1,900km, highlighting tickets costing a month’s wages, as reported by the BBC.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the “disturbing” chaos, ordering an inquiry into mismanagement and apologising to Messi and fans, vowing accountability.
No injuries reported, but the melee forced early cancellation of planned interactions with Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly.
Despite the debacle, Messi’s pull remains unmatched – fans like Bengaluru’s 24-year-old corporate worker relate personally to his stature, crediting him for inspiration.
As the tour continues, organisers face scrutiny over crowd control, turning a GOAT celebration into a cautionary tale of hype versus reality.
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