Kolkata witnessed scenes of chaos and violence on Friday evening after Lionel Messi&rsquo;s much-anticipated appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium ended abruptly, leaving thousands of fans angry and disappointed. What was billed as a grand celebration of the football icon&rsquo;s India visit spiralled into unrest within minutes, prompting police action and a high-level inquiry into the event&rsquo;s organisation.
According to eyewitnesses, Messi appeared on the field for barely 10 to 15 minutes, largely surrounded by security personnel, organisers and VIP guests. Many fans, some of whom had paid premium prices for tickets, complained that they could neither see him clearly nor experience what had been promised during ticket sales and promotions.
As frustration mounted, sections of the crowd began shouting slogans accusing organisers of cheating the public. Soon after, plastic bottles and other objects were thrown onto the field, chairs were damaged, and attempts were made to breach barricades. Security forces struggled to control the situation as panic spread across parts of the stadium.
With the situation deteriorating, Messi was escorted out of the venue earlier than planned due to safety concerns. The event was effectively cut short, and police stepped in to disperse the crowd and restore order.
In the aftermath, West Bengal Police initiated an inquiry into the incident, focusing on crowd control failures, ticketing arrangements and overall event management. Senior officials confirmed that statements were being recorded and responsibility would be fixed once the preliminary investigation is complete. There were also reports of police questioning key members of the organising team as part of the probe.
The incident triggered strong political and public reactions, with demands for accountability and refunds from angry fans. The state government issued an apology to supporters and expressed regret over the mismanagement, assuring that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
The Salt Lake Stadium unrest has cast a shadow over Messi&rsquo;s India tour, raising serious questions about large-scale event planning, fan safety and transparency in high-profile international appearances. Further developments are expected as the police investigation progresses.

Messi Kolkata Visit Ends in Chaos, Probe Ordered

Fan anger erupts at Salt Lake Stadium after Messi’s brief appearance sparks violence

Messi Kolkata Visit Ends in Chaos, Probe Ordered

Fan anger erupts at Salt Lake Stadium after Messi’s brief appearance sparks violence

December 13, 2025 | 15:02 IST