The much-hyped "GOAT Tour" event featuring football superstar Lionel Messi in Kolkata spiraled into chaos and fan violence at the Salt Lake Stadium today, with angry spectators resorting to vandalism after the star's fleeting presence. Fans, who had paid hefty sums for tickets, alleged "terrible management" and felt cheated after the event failed to deliver the promised spectacle.
Shortly after the Argentine legend departed the venue, leaving many in the stands disappointed, footage emerged showing hundreds of infuriated fans throwing water bottles, tearing down banners, and damaging parts of the temporary set within the stadium.
10 Minutes, No Kick: The Core Complaint
The central grievance revolved around the extremely brief duration of Messi's appearance and the privileged access given to dignitaries, which completely obscured the view for paying fans.
One distraught Messi fan, speaking to reporters after the incident, perfectly summarized the prevailing mood of frustration:
"Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty. They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn't bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything..."
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Angry fans resort to vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, alleging poor management of the event.
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
Star footballer Lionel Messi has left the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi said, "Absolutely terrible… pic.twitter.com/TOf2KYeFt9
Other fans echoed this sentiment, lamenting that they had paid ticket prices reaching into the thousands, only to be blocked by a ring of security personnel, VVIPs, and actors who were allowed on the pitch.
VVIPs Overshadow the Star
Reports from the venue indicate that Messi, who was accompanied by fellow star Luis Suárez and other members of his entourage, was constantly surrounded by security and high-profile guests. This heavy cordoning prevented fans in the stands from catching a clear glimpse of the football icon, prompting loud boos and jeers from the disappointed crowd.
Sources suggested that the star's schedule was significantly curtailed due to the immediate surge of people around him and the poor crowd control, forcing him to exit the venue much earlier than anticipated. While Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan had confirmed his presence for the high-profile crossover event, his appearance did little to quell the mounting anger over the poor accessibility to Messi himself.
Authorities Face Scrutiny
The unrest has put the event organizers and city authorities under intense scrutiny for failing to manage the crowd and VVIP access at such a high-profile international event.
Local police were immediately deployed to restore order as fans broke barricades and entered the pitch area. The incident serves as a major embarrassment for the city, which is known for its deep love for football, and raises serious questions about the professional management of large-scale celebrity events in the future.
