Opinion | Messi’s Messed-Up Kolkata Visit: From Dream Event To Administrative Disaster |
Kolkata, often hailed as India’s football mecca, wears its passion for the game like a badge of honour. The city’s streets pulse with the rivalries of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, and its sporting history is dotted with moments when global legends graced its grounds. Pelé’s 1977 exhibition with New York Cosmos at Eden Gardens drew massive crowds without spiralling into disorder. Diego Maradona’s visits in 2008 and 2017 turned the city into a carnival of adoration, with thousands lining streets and filling stadiums peacefully. Even Lionel Messi’s own appearance in 2011—leading Argentina to a friendly win against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium—passed without chaos.
Yet, on December 13, 2025, the opening day of Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 at the same venue descended into what can only be described as an administrative fiasco. Promoted as a grand tribute featuring fan interactions, cultural elements, and a lap of honour, the event barely lasted 20–22 minutes. Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul, emerged onto the pitch only to be immediately engulfed by a swarm of ministers, officials, organisers, club executives, and security personnel.
This human barricade blocked visibility for tens of thousands of paying fans—many of whom had spent substantial sums on tickets—triggering frustration that quickly turned volatile. Bottles were thrown, seats damaged, posters........