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Revealed Dec 13, 2025 • 2 minute learn
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KOLKATA, India — Offended spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after soccer megastar Lionel Messi, who’s on a three-day excursion of the rustic, rapidly left the sector.
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As part of a so-called GOAT Excursion, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami famous person touched down within the jap state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by means of a refrain of exuberant fanatics chanting his title.
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Hours later, hundreds of fanatics dressed in Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium within the state capital Kolkata, however heavy safety across the footballer left fanatics suffering to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked across the pitch waving to fanatics and left the stadium previous than anticipated.
Annoyed fanatics, many having paid greater than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the observe.
Many others stormed the pitch and vandalized banners and tents.
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“For me, to observe Messi is a excitement, a dream. However I’ve ignored the risk to have a glimpse as a result of the mismanagement within the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, instructed AFP.
Ahead of the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which presentations him protecting aloft the International Cup.
He used to be additionally anticipated to play a brief exhibition sport on the stadium.
Every other offended fan instructed the Press Believe of India (PTI) that individuals had spent “a month’s wage” to look Messi.
“I paid Rs 5,000 (U$55) for the price ticket and got here with my son to observe Messi, now not politicians. The police and armed forces team of workers have been taking selfies, and the control is responsible,” Ajay Shah, instructed PTI.
State leader minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned she used to be “disturbed” and “stunned” on the mismanagement.
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“I sincerely ask for forgiveness to Lionel Messi, in addition to to all sports activities enthusiasts and his fanatics, for the unlucky incident,” she mentioned in a put up on X, including that she had ordered a probe into the incident.
Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as a part of the four-city excursion.
His time in India additionally features a imaginable assembly with Top Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi gained his 2d consecutive Main League Football Maximum Precious Participant award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS identify and main the league in targets.
The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina’s defence of the International Cup in June-July in North The united states.
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