Paid Rs 45000 for Ticket, No Glimpse of Messi: Furious Fans Smash Chairs, Hurl Bottles

Kolkata: Lionel Messi came to India and started his tour from Kolkata. This news was enough. People started gathering outside the airport since Friday night. Someone had come with a flag, someone had come wearing a jersey. Everyone had the same objective—to see Messi with their own eyes, even if it was just for a moment.

Why did people buy expensive tickets in the stadium?

Messi's program was held at Salt Lake Stadium. Tickets are sold out, and they are not cheap either. Many people spent Rs 30 to 45 thousand. People thought that if they paid so much money, they would be able to see Messi up close, maybe even doing something on the field.

Then what happened that anger erupted?

The program started, but expectations were not fulfilled. Messi was visible for a short while, that too from a distance. Most people could not see him properly. On top of that, only VIPs and leaders were seen around Messi. The common audience started feeling cheated.

Why did bottles and chairs start flying across the field?

First there was noise, then sloganeering. After that the anger came out openly. Some people threw bottles towards the field. The matter did not stop here, at some places chairs were also uprooted. There was chaos in the stadium for a few minutes.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Angry fans resort to vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, alleging poor management of the event.

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

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

How much effort did the security have to put in to handle the situation?

Security had to intervene immediately. People were pacified, the crowd was removed in some parts. There was no news of anyone being seriously injured, but the atmosphere had deteriorated.

Why did the fans look so angry?

A fan clearly told ANI that the entire event was useless. Messi barely appeared for 10 minutes, no kick, no penalty. People were told that Shahrukh Khan would also come, but he also did not come. Fans said that money was lost and hearts were also broken.

Now, on what questions are being raised?

After this whole uproar, questions are being raised on the event. People are asking why the arrangements were not proper for such a big crowd. At present there has been no response from the organizers. The event which could have been a celebration has now become an example of resentment and mismanagement.