In a shocking turn of events during Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated ‘GOAT India Tour’, a viral video has surfaced showing members of the Argentine superstar’s security team in a heated argument with West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Kumar. The incident unfolded at Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, December 13, marking a chaotic start to Messi’s first visit to India in 14 years.
)
The video, which is rapidly circulating on social media, captures visibly frustrated members of Messi’s entourage confronting the top police official amid the pandemonium at the 85,000-capacity venue. Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, had arrived in the ‘City of Joy’ in the early hours. He virtually inaugurated a statue of himself earlier that morning before heading to the stadium, which was packed with fans who had paid premium prices for a glimpse of the Barcelona legend.
However, the event quickly spiraled into disorder. Messi was mobbed by VIPs, including West Bengal sports minister Arup Biswas, upon stepping onto the pitch. His security team, prioritizing the 38-year-old’s safety, whisked him away after just 20 minutes, leaving fans furious and barely able to see their idol.
The chief organizer, Satadru Dutta—who was later detained by Kolkata Police—revealed to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that Messi “did not like being touched or hugged” without consent. According to Dutta, these concerns were flagged in advance but ignored. “Repeated announcements were made asking people to restrain themselves, but it had no effect. The way Messi was surrounded and embraced was completely unacceptable to him,” he told news agency PTI.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/CNNnews18/status/2002584885068812512
Dutta further alleged that the chaos escalated when a “very influential person” arrived at the venue, causing the number of ground passes to triple from the initial 150. “Once that person reached the stadium, the entire flow of the programme was disturbed,” an officer quoted Dutta as saying.
Disgruntled fans responded with vandalism, hurling chairs and bottles onto the pitch, tearing posters, and damaging facilities like tents. Protests even erupted outside the hotel where Messi, Suarez, and de Paul were staying later that day.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was slated to attend the event, expressed her dismay. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the manner in which the situation quickly spiraled out of control at the stadium,” she stated, offering an apology to Messi and “all sports lovers.” She announced the formation of a three-member enquiry committee to probe the incident.
Despite the Kolkata debacle, the rest of Messi’s India tour proceeded smoothly. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner continued to Hyderabad later that Saturday, followed by visits to Mumbai and Delhi over the next two days.