Messi Mania Turns Chaotic in Kolkata as Angry Fans Riot at Salt Lake Stadium After Star’s Quick Exit

Messi Mania Turns Chaotic in Kolkata as Angry Fans Riot at Salt Lake Stadium After Star’s Quick Exit

GGS NEWS 

Kolkata : What was meant to be a historic football celebration turned into chaos on Wednesday as angry Lionel Messi fans in Kolkata threw chairs and bottles onto the field at Salt Lake Stadium, moments after the global football icon left the venue within just 20 minutes of his arrival.

Thousands of fans had gathered at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentina World Cup winner, whose presence triggered massive excitement across the city. However, disappointment quickly turned into outrage when Messi made only a brief appearance before exiting, reportedly due to tight security schedules.

Eyewitnesses said that shortly after Messi’s departure, a section of the crowd became restless. Within minutes, plastic chairs, water bottles and other objects were hurled onto the ground, forcing stadium officials and security personnel to intervene. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, with clips showing fans shouting slogans and expressing anger over what they described as a “betrayal.”

The incident highlights the intense Messi mania in India, particularly in football-crazy states like West Bengal and Kerala, where the Argentine legend enjoys near-godlike status. Many fans had travelled long distances and waited for hours under tight security, expecting a longer interaction or public address.

“I waited all day just to see him properly. Twenty minutes was not enough,” said one disappointed fan outside the stadium. Others accused organisers of poor communication and crowd management, saying expectations were not handled properly.

Police officials confirmed that no serious injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control swiftly. “We deployed additional forces and ensured the crowd dispersed peacefully,” a senior Kolkata Police officer said. However, minor damage to stadium property was reported.

Event organisers later issued a clarification stating that Messi’s schedule was pre-decided and his short stay was due to logistical and security constraints. “We understand the disappointment of fans, but all protocols were followed,” an official statement read.

The episode has sparked a wider debate online about celebrity events, crowd control, and fan expectations in India. Hashtags like #MessiMania, #KolkataChaos, #SaltLakeStadium and #MessiInIndia trended across X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook as netizens shared mixed reactions—some sympathising with fans, others criticising the violent response.

Sports analysts say the incident underlines the need for better planning at high-profile sports events, especially when dealing with global superstars like Lionel Messi. “When emotions run high, communication becomes critical,” one analyst noted.

Despite the chaos, Messi’s popularity in India remains unmatched. But the Salt Lake Stadium unrest serves as a reminder that passion, when unmanaged, can quickly spiral into disorder.

---

Lionel Messi, Messi Mania, Messi in India, Kolkata, Salt Lake Stadium, Messi fans, football chaos, stadium violence, breaking sports news, India football