Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour 2025 got off to a dramatic start in Kolkata, swinging from euphoria to chaos within hours. The city, first stop on Messi’s multi-city India tour that will also visit Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, had been buzzing since dawn as fans lined routes from the airport to Salt Lake Stadium, hoping for a memorable glimpse of their hero.
Inside the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, however, excitement soon gave way to anger. The venue proved inadequate for the superstar’s presence, with large sections of the crowd unable to see Messi clearly and complaining of poor crowd management and almost no communication about his movements. As it became evident that his time on the pitch would be brief, frustration boiled over.
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A section of fans began hurling bottles and breaking chairs, with videos showing damaged seating and railings as tempers flared. Security forces struggled initially to contain the unrest as supporters surged towards the lower stands and pitch-side areas, and reports of vandalism to stadium property mounted. What was meant to be a landmark celebration for Indian football instead raised serious questions about planning, logistics and safety around one of the world’s biggest sporting icons.
