Sports

Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit

Published

1 month ago

December 13, 2025

Lionel Messi

Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit

Chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Saturday after Lionel Messi abruptly left the arena during his highly anticipated visit to India, triggering anger among thousands of fans who had paid heavily to see the football superstar.

The Argentina and Inter Miami forward, who arrived in West Bengal as part of a three-day visit dubbed the “GOAT Tour”, was welcomed earlier in the day by jubilant supporters chanting his name. However, excitement quickly turned into frustration when tight security arrangements prevented fans from getting a clear view of the 38-year-old football legend.

Wearing Messi jerseys and waving Argentine flags, spectators packed the stadium, hoping to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner play a brief exhibition match. Instead, Messi merely walked around the pitch, waved to fans and left earlier than expected.

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Moments later, angry spectators broke barricades, stormed the pitch, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles, vandalising banners and tents. Several fans complained of poor planning and crowd control.

“For me, watching Messi is a dream, but I missed the chance due to mismanagement,” said 37-year-old businessman Nabin Chatterjee, speaking to AFP.

Tickets reportedly sold for over $100, with many fans saying they had spent a month’s salary to attend the event. “I paid Rs 5,000 to watch Messi, not politicians. The organisers failed us,” another fan, Ajay Shah, told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Before the unrest, Messi unveiled a 21-metre statue of himself holding the FIFA World Cup, a major highlight of the event.

Following the incident, West Bengal Police confirmed the arrest of the event’s chief organiser, while authorities began discussions on possible ticket refunds.

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and football fans, describing the situation as “disturbing” and “shocking,” and ordered a probe into the incident.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) distanced itself from the event, clarifying that it had no role in the planning or execution of the privately organised tour.

Despite the chaos in Kolkata, Messi’s India tour will continue with scheduled visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, including a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi recently won his second consecutive MLS MVP award after leading Inter Miami to the Major League Soccer title and is expected to captain Argentina at the 2026 World Cup defence in North America.

Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit

Related Topics:India Kolkata Stadium messi

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Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

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Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Former African football icon Yaya Touré has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the most impressive team at AFCON 2025, praising their attacking quality, discipline and consistency throughout the tournament in Morocco.

The former Ivory Coast captain said Nigeria stood out among the continent’s best despite failing to reach the final, noting that the Super Eagles combined exciting attacking football with strong organisation at the back. According to Touré, Nigeria’s style of play and overall impact made them his top performers at the tournament.

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Under head coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign, winning the majority of their matches and emerging as one of the highest-scoring teams at the competition. Nigeria reached the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to hosts Morocco on penalties, before defeating Egypt to secure the bronze medal.

Touré’s praise adds to the growing recognition Nigeria has received following AFCON 2025. The team’s impressive run also contributed to an improvement in their FIFA ranking, reinforcing optimism around the squad ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

As celebrations continue back home, Touré’s endorsement has further strengthened the belief that the Super Eagles are firmly back among Africa’s elite football nations, with a promising future on both the continental and global stage.

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Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid delivered a ruthless performance to thrash AS Monaco 6–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, sending a strong statement in the UEFA Champions League and easing pressure after recent domestic setbacks.

The French superstar wasted no time against his former club, opening the scoring early before adding a second inside the first half to take his Champions League goals tally into double figures this season. His sharp finishing set the tone for a dominant night in Madrid.

Vinícius Júnior was equally influential, tormenting the Monaco defence with pace and creativity. The Brazilian capped his display with a fine goal and an assist, while Jude Bellingham added his name to the scoresheet late on as Madrid ran riot.

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Further goals came through teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono and a Thilo Kehrer own goal, highlighting Monaco’s defensive collapse. The visitors managed only a consolation strike, offering little resistance as Madrid controlled possession and tempo throughout.

The emphatic victory lifts Real Madrid into a strong position in the Champions League standings, keeping them firmly on course for automatic qualification to the knockout stage. For Monaco, the heavy defeat leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.

The result also marks a positive start under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with Madrid fans buoyed by one of the club’s most complete performances of the season as the race for European glory intensifies.

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

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Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

Published

19 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is already taking shape, with Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé emerging as early front-runners for football’s most prestigious individual award. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now past their peak, the field is wide open for new stars to claim the coveted Golden Ball.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tops early rankings thanks to his influential performances in club and international competitions, particularly his leadership in Arsenal’s title push. Close behind are Harry Kane, who continues to score prolifically for Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland with his lethal finishing for Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, maintaining his form for Real Madrid and France.

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Rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, also features prominently among early favourites, while other notable contenders include midfield dynamo Vitinha and reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Analysts note that the race is still early and that Champions League and World Cup performances will heavily influence the final outcome.

The early rankings provide a snapshot of the competition, highlighting a mix of established stars and emerging talents who could define the next era of global football.