Lionel Messi GOAT Tour: Kolkata Fans Fume In Anger, Hyderabad Celebrates With Global Icon

Lionel Messi touched down in Kolkata at 2.26 am on Saturday, immediately setting off scenes of frenzy as fans flooded the airport, nearby streets and Hyatt Regency hotel to welcome the Argentine icon. The Kolkata leg began later on Saturday with a closed-door sponsor’s meet before he headed to the Salt Lake Stadium at 10.50 am. (File Photo)

At the Salt Lake stadium, he was scheduled to interact with players from the Mohun Bagan ‘Messi’ All Stars and Diamond Harbour ‘Messi’ All Stars, and a special exhibition match was supposed to be held. The programme also included the felicitation of Bengal’s Santosh Trophy-winning team and a Master Class with Messi’, aimed at young footballers from across the state. Nonetheless, the schedule did not go as planned. (Image: PTI)

Fans alleged that the football icon was surrounded by officials, politicians and heavy security, leaving thousands of spectators in the stands unable to get a clear view of Messi. The limited access and lack of engagement left fans deeply disappointed, which soon turned into anger, with some fans throwing bottles and plastic chairs onto the field, damaging stadium property and attempting to breach security barriers. (Image: PTI)

Lionel Messi left the venue within 20 minutes and fans claimed they couldn’t even see the soccer legend. Messi along with his teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, made a very brief appearance at the event. Fans who paid high ticket prices ranging from Rs 4000 to more than Rs 12,000, were left in distress. They said, they saw faces of politicians, whom they see throughout the year. Following the chaos, the West Bengal Police arrested Satadru Dutta, the sole promoter of the tour. (Image: X/Screengrab)

After a few hours, Lionel Messi visited Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, which offered a clear contrast to the disorder seen earlier in Kolkata. The programme ran as intended and the crowd stayed in place, drawing a line between what had gone wrong earlier. Lionel Messi stayed for about an hour at the stadium. (Image: X)

Messi, along with the Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, took part in the GOAT Cup penalty shootout, with CM Revanth Reddy also joining them on the field in football attire. The players later conducted football clinics for children before the formalities drew to a close. (Image: X)

On Sunday, Lionel Messi will headline an event at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It also includes a philanthropic fashion showcase involving Messi, Suarez and De Paul, preceded by a Padel Cup at the Cricket Club of India. (File Photo)

The final stop is Delhi, where Messi is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi. The programme includes the felicitation of Minerva Academy’s triple youth-trophy-winning teams and nine-a-side celebrity football match, rounding off the India visit. (File Photo)