Messi in India: a legendary visit that spiraled into a chaotic spectacle

What happened during Messi's visit

Lionel Messi's India tour began with chaotic scenes on Saturday as fans hurled objects, smashed seats, and stormed Salt Lake Stadium after a brief appearance by the Argentine legend at a paid-ticket event.

Rajiv Kumar, the West Bengal state police chief, said Satador Data, the event organizer, was detained in relation to the incident.

Messi was scheduled to visit the stadium for 45 minutes, but his appearance lasted only about 20 minutes.

Ticket prices were 3500 rupees (roughly 38.65 dollars), more than half the weekly average income in India, though one fan claimed to have paid 130 dollars.

Fans at Salt Lake Stadium broke seats and hurled objects at the field, while many climbed the stands and threw debris in protest of the poor organization and their inability to see Messi who was surrounded by officials and performers.

Mismanagement

Edi Lal Mangajizwala, who drove about 1500 kilometers from Mizoram over two days to attend, said he could not believe the mismanagement was this bad and that Messi left quickly, perhaps feeling unsafe as a result. The speaker claimed he barely glimpsed the star.

Rajiv Kumar told reporters that the main organizer had been detained and that authorities would take steps to ensure this administrative negligence is punished. He also added there had been a written pledge to refund the tickets sold for the event.

Messi is in India as part of a tour that includes concerts, youth training camps, a paddle tournament, and charitable initiatives in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.