Social media erupted with criticism after chaotic scenes were reported at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025, with fans alleging large-scale mismanagement at the venue.
Videos and photos circulating online showed damaged barricades, overcrowded entry points and tense moments inside the stadium as disappointed attendees expressed anger over what they described as poor planning and lack of basic crowd control. Several fans claimed they were left waiting for hours due to confusion around ticket verification and entry procedures.
Many supporters, some of whom travelled from outside Kolkata, said the on-ground arrangements failed to match the scale and significance of an event associated with a global football icon like Messi. Complaints ranged from inadequate security deployment to unclear communication from organisers.
Fans cry ‘scam’, demand accountability
The backlash intensified on social media platforms, where several users accused the organisers of misleading fans. One viral post summed up the frustration bluntly, stating, “Absolutely terrible event,” a remark that resonated widely among aggrieved attendees.
One user posted on X, "Lionel Messi was at the ground for not more than 15 minutes. 2 minutes of silence to those who paid thousands for his GOAT tour in Kolkata.
Others questioned how tickets priced as high as ₹12,000 were sold without ensuring proper infrastructure and crowd management. Some users argued that such lapses damage India’s credibility as a host for high-profile international sporting events. One of the fans who attended the event said, "Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi... Why did they call us then... We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face...?" Another said, " The minimum ticket price was 5,000 but still we couldn't get a glimpse of Messi, we want a refund."
Another visitor named Ayantika, who attended the event said this was her," Worst experience ever!". She further stated, "We spent a handsome amount to see Messi, but the management was a total failure — poor management. Not even once were we able to see Messi. We booked one of the finest tickets in the A1 block of the stadium, but everything from start to finish was a mess." She also added that when they went inside the stadium,"1‑liter Kinley bottles were being sold for ₹200, and ₹20 chips were being sold for ₹150..." which they ignored but they were really disappointment.
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Debate over event preparedness
As criticism mounted, the incident triggered a broader online debate around transparency, safety, and preparedness at large-scale public events. Many netizens stressed that concerts and sporting appearances involving international stars require significantly better coordination to avoid safety risks and public disorder.
