Lionel Messi'S Indian Adventure Off To A Tumultuous Start: Stadium Chaos And Organizer Arrest

Lionel Messi's eagerly awaited tour of India kicked off with an unexpected twist on Saturday, leaving both fans and event organizers reeling. As thousands gathered at Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta, hoping to catch more than just a fleeting glimpse of the football legend, things took a dramatic turn. Frustration boiled over as fans began hurling bottles and chairs onto the pitch, a reaction to their disappointment of not seeing Messi in action for more than a few minutes.

According to reports from the Times of India, many ticket holders expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming they did not see Messi in the flesh or even on the stadium's big screens. Accompanied by his fellow football stars, Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suárez, Messi made a brief appearance, walking around the field to greet the audience before quickly exiting the stadium. This 20-minute cameo left the crowd wanting more, especially those who had been waiting for hours in anticipation.

"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement of the event, which I witnessed today at the Salt Lake Stadium," wrote Mamata Banerjee, head of the West Bengal government, on social media. She also extended her apologies to both Messi and the fans who had high expectations for the event.

In the aftermath of the chaos, Banerjee announced that a committee would be formed to thoroughly investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and suggest measures to prevent future occurrences. Meanwhile, the head organizer of the event found themselves detained by local authorities for further questioning.

Despite the rocky start, Messi's "Goat India Tour" continues, taking him from Kolkata to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and finally New Delhi. Prior to the commotion, Messi remotely unveiled a towering 21-meter statue in his honor in Kolkata, a testament to his global influence and enduring legacy.