(Image source from: Facebook.com/rebirthrony)
Lionel Messi's highly anticipated Kolkata part of the G.O.A.T. Tour on Saturday ended up being a disorganized event for the many people who came to see the star play at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The issue was that they didn't get a chance to see the famous Argentine football player. Even though fans paid a significant amount for tickets, which ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, numerous attendees stated they could hardly see the football icon. The presence of security and other visitors close to Messi obstructed fans' views from the stands. Frustration led to chair and bottle throwing, forcing the organizers to quickly take Messi away. Messi showed up at the venue around 11:15 a.m. and was there for about 20 minutes. The 2022 World Cup winner was meant to make a complete lap around the stadium, but that didn’t happen because of the disarray. Satadru Dutta, the lead organizer of the event, has been taken into custody after a report was filed, as confirmed by Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order.
Just after Messi came out from the tunnel, things got out of hand. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who had come to Kolkata for this special event, along with former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, couldn't participate in the program as it was cut short due to the disorder. The chaos was such that promoter Shatadru Dutta, along with security personnel, had to swiftly escort Messi out of the Salt Lake Stadium. Some fans also rushed onto the field and damaged the canopies arranged for the event. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed regret for the messy situation and has called for an investigation. "I am very upset and shocked by the mismanagement seen today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was heading to the stadium to be part of the event along with thousands of sports enthusiasts and fans who gathered to see their favorite footballer, Lionel Messi," Banerjee wrote on X.
I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 13, 2025
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"I truly apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports fans and his admirers, for this unfortunate occurrence. I am very disappointed and shocked by the mismanagement seen today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to join the event with thousands of sports lovers who wanted to see their favorite football player, Lionel Messi. The police and Rapid Action Force employed mild force to break up the frustrated crowd after they attempted to damage the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, blaming poor management during Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour event on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, upset fans blamed the Ministers and politicians for taking too much time with Messi and not following through on their commitments.
