The organiser behind Lionel Messi’s recent India tour has opened up about the difficulties faced during the football superstar’s visit, claiming that excessive crowd pressure and the involvement of “influential people” created an uncomfortable atmosphere for the Argentine legend.
Massive crowd pressure created security concerns
Messi’s visit had generated massive excitement among Indian football fans, with thousands gathering at different venues hoping to catch a glimpse of the World Cup-winning captain. However, the overwhelming crowd presence made movement extremely challenging for both the organisers and security personnel.
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Satadru Dutta opens up in the exclusive interview of NDTV sports and said, “ I was not allowed to speak, so I waited to speak one day.” He also added , "To hide their own failures, they made me a scapegoat. It was a failure of administration and police. As an organiser, I cannot be a law enforcer; I believed the police would take care of what was planned.”
Organisers point fingers at VIP interference
The organiser explained that maintaining discipline became nearly impossible once influential guests began bypassing restrictions. Despite extensive planning, the situation reportedly spiralled beyond expectations, leaving Messi visibly uncomfortable at times during public appearances.
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West Bengal sports minister resigns over Messi event fallout
Aroop Biswas submitted a handwritten resignation to CM Mamata Banerjee
The move followed an official probe into the GOAT India Tour 2025. Biswas faced criticism over crowd chaos and mismanagement at Salt… pic.twitter.com/lGLqIjZerV
The Argentine superstar remains one of the most celebrated athletes globally following his historic FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022. His popularity in India has also grown significantly over the years, especially among young football supporters who idolise the former FC Barcelona and current Inter Miami CF star.
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While the visit succeeded in drawing huge attention and fan enthusiasm, the organiser admitted that better crowd management and stricter control over VIP access would have improved the overall experience. The remarks have since sparked discussions online regarding celebrity security and event management standards during high-profile sporting visits in India.
