Football icon Lionel Messi landed in Kolkata to attend the first event of his G.O.A.T. Tour on Saturday. However, the event did not go as planned. The star left the Kolkata venue Saltlake Stadium moments after entering. Where fans were waiting to welcome and get a glimpse of the legend. Later that day, Messi and his team left for Telangana to attend the Hyderabad leg of the tour, scheduled to begin in the evening. Where the star has been seen having a great time, be it meeting with political figures like Rahul Gandhi and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy or be it shooting the ball and scoring goals.
Kolkata left in chaos
Earlier on his way to the stadium, Messi unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself, one of the tallest in the world. During his brief appearance in Kolkata, Messi acknowledged the dignitaries present on the field, signed a few jerseys, and waved to the crowd.
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However, the proceedings concluded quickly, leaving many fans with only a fleeting glimpse of the footballer. Soon after Messi exited the field, chaos broke out at the venue. Fans started screaming “shame shame”. Just a minute later, fans started to run towards the ground, breaking all sorts of barriers.
The entire stadium turned into a battlefield. The angry crowd vandalised everything from chairs to the tents sent up for the dignitaries. The ruckus spread outside the venue. People came out on the street demanding a refund. Amid all of this, the Police authorities detained the core organiser of the G.O.A.T. Tour Satadru Dutta.
Hyderabad celebrates
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul arrived at the Taj Falaknuma Palace hotel in Hyderabad in late afternoon today, after exiting Kolkata. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy greeted Messi, Suarez, and De Paul at the hotel, after which they journeyed towards the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
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Messi, Suarez, and De Paul were escorted under impenetrable security arrangements following the Kolkata discord. A friendly 7 vs 7 football match was played in the footballer's honour. Messi, along with CM Revanth Reddy, took part in the game and even scored a goal.
The Chief Minister accompanied Messi, Suarez, and De Paul while making rounds of the stadium. They made rondos at several points on the field, where the footballers played a pass-the-ball practice drill.
While the tour included great sportsmen like Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, along with Messi. But fans sensed the kind of treatment the other two footballers got compared to Messi during the Kolkata leg of the tour. However, during the Hyderabad event, fans found everyone in the trio to be respected equally. As the city of joy was disappointed and heartbroken by the organiser's mismanagement, Hyderabad learned from afar to ensure everything goes smoothly in the presence of the football legend.
