Fans in Kolkata are furious after Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated return turned into 20 minutes of disappointment and chaos at Salt Lake Stadium.
The day Indian football fans had been dreaming of finally arrived—and then quickly turned into a nightmare.
Lionel Messi touched down in India today, December 13, 2025, to kick off his “GOAT India Tour 2025.” The excitement was massive. It was his first visit in 14 years.
But just hours into the first event in Kolkata, social media was flooded not with happy selfies, but with videos of angry crowds and flying chairs.
If you are seeing the words “Messi India Chaos” trending and wondering what went wrong, here is the simple breakdown of the drama today.
The Hype vs. The Reality
Thousands of fans bought very expensive tickets for the event at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium. Many expected a friendly match, or at least a proper interaction with the football legend.
Instead, here is what they got:
- A 20-Minute Appearance: According to reports on the ground, Messi was on the pitch for barely 20 minutes.
- Blocked Views: Fans complained that Messi was constantly surrounded by politicians, VIPs, and security. Regular ticket holders said they couldn’t even get a clear glimpse of him.
- No Play: He waved to the crowd and left. There was no football played by the star.
The “Scam” Feeling and the Chaos
Fans who had spent thousands of rupees felt cheated. The disappointment quickly turned into anger inside the stadium.
Videos trending online show furious fans throwing plastic stadium chairs and water bottles onto the pitch after Messi departed. Police had to rush in to control the situation. Many fans are now taking to social media calling the event a “scam” and demanding refunds for their Messi India Tour tickets.
The Fallout: Organizer Detained
The mismanagement was so severe that swift action was taken.
- The tour organizer, Satadru Dutta, has reportedly been detained by the Kolkata police.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized to Messi and the fans, stating she was shocked by the poor organization.
What About Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi?
The GOAT Tour 2025 was supposed to be a three-day celebration across four cities:
- Kolkata (Today – ended in chaos)
- Hyderabad (Scheduled, Dec 13)
- Mumbai (Scheduled, Dec 14)
- New Delhi (Scheduled, Dec 15)
Given the disaster in Kolkata and the detention of the organizer, the status of the remaining events in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi is currently very uncertain. Fans in these cities are nervously waiting for updates.
A Quick Note on the “Kerala Connection”
Many people are confused about Kerala. Let’s clarify: Today’s chaotic tour does NOT involve Kerala.
The current tour is a private event. The news about the Argentina National Team playing in Kerala is a completely separate, government-backed plan scheduled for late 2025 or 2026.
Today was supposed to be a celebration of football. Instead, it became a sad day for Indian fans who just wanted to see their hero. We will have to wait and see if the rest of the Messi India Tour can be saved.
