Lionel Messi Tour in Kolkata turns Chaotic: Fans Vandalize Salt Lake Stadium, Try to Ignite Fire, Fight with Police

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An afternoon, which was supposed be be mesmeric for Kolkata, has turned into utter chaos and violence as angry fans have dismantled the sets inside Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Lionel Messi, the centre point of the attraction, came to Salt Lake and stayed for just 20 minutes. The majority of fans didn't get a chance to witness Messi for utter mismanagement and as the star left early, the anger boiled over its tipping point.

The Kolkata fans resorted to violence as they started to dismantle the set, which was temporarily created inside the stadium.

What happened at Lionel Messi event in Kolkata?

Messi entered with Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, eliciting emotional fan reactions. However, interactions spiraled into chaos as enthusiastic All-Star players mobbed him for autographs, forcing organizer Satadru Dutta to intervene repeatedly.

Hundreds surged onto the pitch, ignoring evacuation pleas despite the sweltering heat and camera flashes visibly distressing Messi-he maintained a smile and waved briefly.

High-profile Bengal dignitaries overshadowed the event, blocking paying fans' views. There were around 80-100 personnel around Messi throughout his stay, which made fans in the stands have no chance to get a glimpse.

Frustrated, Messi soon signalled to leave. Dutta was overheard saying, "Aar jaabena bolchhe" (He doesn't want to stay anymore), and the group exited promptly, leaving ticket-holders furious after shelling out thousands for a glimpse.

Fans Vandalize Salt Lake Stadium, Try to Ignite Fire

The fans went berserk seeing Messi leave. They started with loud boos and started to throw bottles, tear up banners inside the stadium. Soon after, it escalated. Fans soon broke the fence and started entering the pitch. They vandalized the temporary set and then got involved in a fight with the police. The angry fans even tried to ignite fire on the temporary sitting canopies, but that was somehow averted. The athletics track of the stadium has been completely filled with chairs and water bottles.

The police lathi-charged some of the fans but the angry fans overpowered them and started throwing chairs inside the stadium. The lack of security inside the stadium has caused issue, while questions are arising about how the fans entered with filled-up water bottles.