Chaos Erupts at Messi's Kolkata Event as Fans Riot

Sat Dec 13 2025 21:03:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An event featuring football star Lionel Messi in Kolkata turned chaotic as disappointed fans threw chairs and bottles after being obstructed from seeing him properly.

During Lionel Messi's promotional event in Kolkata, India, thousands of fans expressed their frustration by rioting when they were unable to view the football star due to obscured visibility. Paid tickets led to disappointment as fans vandalized stadium property. Local leaders have expressed outrage and announced investigations into the incident.

Angry fans attending Lionel Messi's tour of India ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch after his appearance at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.

Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the football star, but were left disappointed when he emerged to walk around the pitch, and was obscured by a large group of officials and celebrities.

When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was whisked away early by security after around 20 minutes, elements of the crowd turned hostile.

West Bengal's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, said she was deeply disturbed and shocked by the events.

Messi is in India for his 'GOAT tour', a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. His tour began with the unveiling of a 70ft statue of himself in Kolkata, which had been assembled over the course of 27 days by a 45-strong crew.

It was unveiled virtually due to security reasons, meaning thousands of fans instead travelled to the city's stadium for a chance to see the footballer.

They were chanting, buying jerseys, and wearing I love Messi headbands. Messi initially walked around the stadium waving to fans, but after his appearance was abruptly ended on Saturday, frustrated fans stormed the pitch and vandalized banners and tents, as others hurled plastic chairs and bottles.

The 2022 World Cup winner - considered one of football's greatest players of all time - had been expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.

Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi ... Why did they call us then ... We have got a ticket for 12 thousand rupees, but we were not even able to see his face, a fan at the stadium told Indian news agency ANI.

Announcing an enquiry, Banerjee apologized to Messi and sports lovers for the incident at the stadium. The [enquiry] committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, she said on X.

The chaotic scene reflects the passionate football culture in Kolkata, a city known for its massive fanbase in a cricket-dominated nation.