Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit turns 'Messy': Fans throw bottles, vandalise Salt Lake Stadium

Lionel Messi's much anticipated GOAT Tour India 2025 began with a frenzy atmosphere in Kolkata with masses gathered at key points to witness the Argentine legend. The talisman virtually unveiled his 70-foot iron statue, dedicated to him by the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. He also met Shah Rukh Khan, who was accompanied by his son Abram.

While all these went pleasantly, his visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in the city on Saturday turned into absolute chaos. Furious fans resorted to vandalism and threw bottles from the stands as the legendary footballer left the venue after only 20 minutes. Messi had arrived in the stadium at 11:30 AM.

Messi, on expected lines, was provided with heavy security cordon. However, this didn't stop fans from attempting to break gates at the stands to get closer to the footballing superstar, which was right after he had reached the venue.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Angry fans threw bottles and chairs from the stands at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium

Star footballer Lionel Messi has left the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/mcxi6YROyr — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

Moments after Messi emerged from the tunnel, the situation spiralled out of control. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who had arrived in Kolkata for the special event, along with former India captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were unable to be part of the programme as the event was cut short amid the chaos.

Such was the situation that promoter Shatadru Datta, organiser of the ‘GOAT Tour’, along with security personnel, had to whisk Messi away as the Salt Lake Stadium turned into a scene of political one-upmanship, with supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress breaching security and entering the field of play.

Fans, who had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for tickets to watch the Argentine star, hurled bottles and damaged fibreglass seats, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control.

“Here, a glass of cold drink costs Rs 150–200, yet we couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Messi. People have spent a month’s salary to see him. I paid Rs 5,000 for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame. There wasn’t even drinking water available,” an angry fan, Ajay Shah, told PTI.