Lionel Messi’s much-awaited return to India turned chaotic at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium as fans accused organisers of fraud and mismanagement.
What was meant to be a memorable celebration of
Lionel Messi’s return to India after 14 years ended in complete chaos at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, with angry fans branding the event a “fraud” due to poor planning and broken promises.
Fans were left confused and disappointed as Messi made only a very brief appearance and remained surrounded by heavy security, VIPs and dignitaries. A large section of the crowd claimed they could barely see the Argentine superstar, leading to frustration and outrage among fans who had paid high ticket prices and waited for hours in hope of watching their idol.
The situation soon became out of control, with clashes and vandalism erupting inside the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) as enraged supporters protested the mismanagement. Several fans alleged that the event failed to deliver what was promised, adding to accusations that the entire show was a scam.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, “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… https://t.co/Ce4kNu8dBH pic.twitter.com/Rpko4UwlLW
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
Can anyone spot from the stands where the Messi is?
Ministers, VIP and their family members were surrounding Messi throughout time until Messi left the stadium. Total fraud to the Fans
For this fans paid 10 thousands, Pathetic pic.twitter.com/G1v7nI1LGT— ravi prakash yadav (@ravipra53127948) December 13, 2025
The event itself is a fraud, imagine just for looking Messi people paying 10000 to 12000, not for watching a Match.
Tolamool’s trick to collect money for paty funds.
😂😂😂😂
— Ashutosh Kumar (@iam_ashu99) December 13, 2025
This wasn’t football, it was day light fraud.Authorities sold lies, delivered chaos. Messi for 10 mins, politicians for selfies, fans treated like idiots. Zero planning, zero accountability. Salt Lake Stadium exposed pure Incompetence Disgrace.#Kolkata#Messi#MamataBanerjee pic.twitter.com/quzh23EiXS
— PavanReddy (@Pavann_Reddyy) December 13, 2025
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, “The minimum price of the ticket was 5 thousand, and why were the VVIPs around Messi? We couldn’t even see him… Why weren’t the police taking action? I don’t know anything. Everyone was furious… We… https://t.co/Ce4kNu8dBH pic.twitter.com/HGG1OHSoo8
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
Following the incident, West Bengal Police detained the chief organisers of the event and launched an investigation into the handling of the programme. Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, addressing the media, stated that the organisers and management would be held fully responsible for the chaos.
#WATCH | Kolkata: On the Chaos at Messi’s Kolkata event, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar says, “We have already detained the main organiser. We are taking action to ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished…” pic.twitter.com/fIrFefHFyu
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was supposed to be present at the stadium alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly to felicitate Messi and his team, but could not turn up as the situation worsened. She later issued a statement, apologising to Messi and fans for the mismanagement.
The anger was not limited to the stadium alone. Videos on social media showed fans gathering outside the Kolkata Hyatt hotel, where Messi was reportedly staying, to protest against the alleged mismanagement. Police were forced to intervene and disperse the crowd using lathicharge.
Argentine players Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez are also part of Messi’s India tour. They will next visit Hyderabad, followed by Mumbai and New Delhi.
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