Kolkata,dec 13
Kolkata woke up to unfiltered Messi mania on December 13 as Lionel Messi began his GOAT India Tour at the Salt Lake Stadium, a day after his late-night arrival sent the city into raptures. Even past midnight, thousands gathered at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, chanting “oke bhalobasi”(I love him) and “mohabbat hai,” waving Argentina flags and jerseys in a celebration that felt more like a festival than an arrival. Fans braved the December chill for hours since 3 a.m., many dressed in full Argentina kits, wigs and face paint, calling the moment a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. For Kolkata’s football faithful, Messi’s return after 14 years carried deep emotional weight, turning patience and exhaustion into collective joy.Among the most striking reactions was that of a newly married couple who revealed they had cancelled their honeymoon altogether to see Messi in person. “We recently got married, but on Messi’s visit, we cancelled everything,” they told ANI, explaining that the chance to witness the football icon live mattered more than any travel plans. “We may never get this opportunity again,” they said.Outside Messi’s hotel and Salt Lake Stadium, the streets turned blue and white. Chants of “Love you Messi” rang out as banners reading “Messians of Bengal” and hand-painted posters filled the air. Amid the frenzy, one young fan held up a placard reading “Save Indian football,” a quiet reminder of the domestic game’s struggles.
Messi’s day in Kolkata followed a packed schedule, starting with a morning meet-and-greet, followed by the virtual unveiling of a 70-foot statue and a friendly match and felicitation at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan alongside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly.
Not involved in organising, planning, or execution in any capacity: AIFF on chaos at Messi’s event in Kolkata
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the “planning or execution” of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
The AIFF underlined that maintaining order and ensuring the safety and security of everyone involved must remain the top priority in such high-profile events. Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour descended into chaos on Saturday after fans expressed disappointment when the Argentine legend left the event at Salt Lake Stadium much earlier than planned, leaving the crowd angry.Many fans who paid a hefty amount to watch a glimpse of the football icon Messi became angry and began throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. The angry mob also entered the ground and tried to vandalise the tent and the goal post.
Messi’s itinerary in Hyderabad includes a highly anticipated 7v7 exhibition football match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
