Lionel Messi’s tour of India did not start as the Argentine star had imagined. This Saturday, the number 10 of Inter Miami made a brief visit to the Salt Lake Stadium, in Calcutta, and his quick appearance provoked the anger of the supporters present, who threw the chairs from the stands onto the lawn.
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According to reports in the Indian press, Messi crossed the stadium pitch greeting supporters, but left the venue 20 minutes after his arrival. He was even surrounded by a large group of people, making it impossible for some to see him, which further angered those present at Salt Lake Stadium.
— There were only managers and actors around Messi… Why did they call us then? We bought a ticket for 12,000 rupees (about R$717 at current prices), but we couldn’t even see his face — a stadium fan told Asian News International (ANI), an Indian news portal.
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The Argentine star was accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul, his teammates from Inter Miami, in the United States. After Messi left the field, fans threw pieces of stadium seats and other objects onto the field and athletics track in protest.
The head of government of the state of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, declared herself “shocked” by the poor organization of the event following the incident.
“I send my sincere apologies to Lionel Messi and all sports lovers and his fans for this unfortunate incident,” Banerjee wrote on her X account, adding that she had launched an investigation.
Messi visited India for the unveiling of his statue and for the “GOAT India Tour 2025”, the three-day tour that celebrates the Argentine’s career in the country. In the coming days, the player will travel to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
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In Kolkata, apart from the statue inauguration, Messi will also be honored with a special mural. The star will then take part in a celebrity match in Hyderabad, attend a charity event in Mumbai and hold meetings with officials and young players in other cities.
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