December 13 turned into a bittersweet occasion at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium as football icon Lionel Messi made a brief appearance that ended far earlier than expected.
Thousands of fans packed the venue, paying steep ticket prices for a chance to see the Argentine superstar, but many left disappointed after Messi stayed on the field for only 20–25 minutes before being escorted out.
According to accounts from the ground, Messi was quickly surrounded by more than 100 people soon after his arrival, including politicians, dignitaries and security personnel. With fans in the stands unable to get a clear view, frustration spilled over, leading to crowd unrest and forcing organisers to cut the event short.
Former India midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick, who featured in the exhibition match between Mohun Bagan Messi XI and Diamond Harbour Messi XI, said the situation visibly unsettled the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. “Everything was fine at the start. Messi walked in smiling, relaxed, shaking hands with everyone. He even signed autographs without any hesitation,” Bhowmick told Sports Now.
However, the mood changed rapidly once the pitch became overcrowded.
“The moment too many people rushed onto the field and started clicking pictures, he became visibly uncomfortable,” he said.
As the crowd swelled around him, Bhowmick recalled Messi losing his composure. “It got overcrowded very quickly. You could see his reaction change as everyone around him kept clicking pictures. He began showing signs of irritation, lost his cool, and the situation went out of control.”
Bhowmick added that Messi’s security team, along with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, were unhappy with the apparent mismanagement at the venue, which ultimately led to the early conclusion of the event. Messi, Suárez and De Paul are currently in India as part of the Argentine star’s much-publicised GOAT Tour.
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