Messi’s Kolkata Visit Ends in Chaos as Fans Protest Over Poor Visibility

Lionel Messi‘s visit to Kolkata turned into a major disappointment. The Argentine star’s appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday sparked a large protest. Thousands of angry fans felt cheated after paying high ticket prices for a poor view.The event descended into vandalism and required police intervention. It has prompted an official investigation and widespread criticism of the event’s management.

Promised Glimpse of a Star Ends in Disarray
Messi arrived at the stadium with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. He briefly stepped onto the pitch but was immediately surrounded by officials and VIPs. According to PTI, this created a tight cordon that blocked him from most spectators’ view.Fans expecting a full lap of the stadium saw him exit early. This broken promise ignited the crowd’s frustration. Chants for Messi quickly turned to shouts of anger.The situation escalated rapidly. Supporters threw bottles and chairs onto the field. They tore down sponsor banners and damaged stadium seating. Police had to baton-charge to control fans who rushed the pitch.

Political Fallout and Accusations Follow Fiasco
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the mismanagement. She announced a committee would investigate the incident. Banerjee also apologized to the sports lovers who attended.Fans directly accused politicians of hogging Messi’s time. One attendee told ANI they felt scammed, noting their child’s excitement turned to disappointment. Another claimed their expensive ticket did not guarantee even a clear glimpse of the football icon.The opposition BJP blamed the state government for the chaos. Party leaders alleged greed and poor oversight created the situation. They stated the fiasco brought disrepute to the entire region.

The fallout from Messi’s Kolkata tour highlights a severe failure in event execution. Local authorities now face intense scrutiny over the dangerous mismanagement. The incident has left a stain on what was meant to be a historic celebration for Indian football fans.