'Ran To Save My Life'! London-Based Indian Musician Recollects Harrowing Kolkata Leg Of Messi's GOAT India Tour 2025

Last Updated:December 23, 2025, 17:45 IST

Antony, who took a flight down to India to perform at the event at Salt Lake Stadium in the West Bengal Capital opened up on the arrowing incidents at the VYBK.

A top view of police and security personnel keep a vigil in the aftermath of chaos during Argentine footballer and 2022 FIFA World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi's 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025' event at Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. (Image: PTI)

As the dust settles on Argentine World Cup-winner Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025, the fallout of the Kolkata leg of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s visit to the peninsular nation continues to plague the nation’s football woes.

London-based Indian singer Charles Antony, who took a flight down to India to perform at the event at Salt Lake Stadium in the West Bengal Capital opened up on the arrowing incidents at the VYBK.

“I ran to save my life," said Antony, who had composed a song in Spanish to welcome Messi, recollecting the events of the day on the 13th of December.

Messi was accompanied by teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez on the tour as he reached Kolkata to unveil a statue of his likeness, marking his first stop on the trip. The magician from Rosario inaugurated the statue of himself holding the World Cup trophy, in a fitting tribute to the legend at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum.

However, what was supposed to be a landmark moment in the nation’s sporting history turned into chaos due to administrative mismanagement, leading to fan unrest and outrage.

Fans who had paid top-dollar to see the magician from Rosario were left disappointed. Politicians and organisers obstructed the Argentine superstar during his lap of honour at VYBK, causing agitated fans as they couldn’t get a clear view of him. This resulted in security breaches and forced Messi to stop his lap of honour midway. Frustrated with the event’s organisation, fans began removing chairs and throwing projectiles onto the pitch.

The event marked Messi’s first trip to India since 2011 when he played at the Salt Lake Stadium, helping Argentina edge Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly. Messi’s return was meant to be a joyous occasion as he walked the Indian shores as a World Champion, having fulfilled a dream with his unmatched genius on the grandest stage in Doha.

However, chaos ensued as celebrities and influential people mobbed the star, monopolizing the time and emotions of the common man, leading to an emotional outburst. The main issue was that fans were denied a clear view of their hero, whom they had come to see with great anticipation, only to feel deceived. Organisers, politicians, and celebrities took the spotlight, using their privileged access to share the stage with the man who captured the dreams of millions.

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