Angry at Lionel Messi ‘Goat’ India Tour as fans on seats and bottles at Stadium event

The first stop on Lionel Messi’s tour descended into riots as fans burned the seats in the Stadium and cut short his appearance at Kolkata’s Stancium in Kolkata’s Salkata’s Salkata Stylium.

Thousands of adoring supporters pay up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of a rising star, and are surrounded by a large group of officials and celebrities.

When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was touched down early by security after 20 minutes, elements of the crowd were agitated.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “difficult and shocked” by the events.

Messi is in India for his ‘Tour tour’, a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbi and New Delhi.

His tour began with the unveiling of a 70ft statue of himself in Kolkata, which was assembled in 14 days by a 45-strong crew.

It was not opened nearly due to security reasons, meaning that thousands of fans instead traveled to the city’s stadium for a chance to see the footballer.

They sing, buy jerseys and wear “I Love Messi” Headbands.

Messi initially walked around the stadium hanging with the fans, but after his appearance ended suddenly on Saturday and bad flags and bases of plastics.

The Winner 2022 World Cup who is considered one of the greatest football players of all time – is expected to play a short exhibition game at the Stadium, the AFP agency reports.

“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi … Why did they call us then … We have got a ticket for 12 thousand rupees, but we were not even able to see his face”, a fan at the stadium told Indian news agency ANI.

An angry fan told the India News Agency press tender that people paid the equivalent of a month’s salary to see the eight-hour ballon d’o winner.

“I paid Rs 5,000 for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi without politicians.

“Police and military personnel are taking themselves, and management is to blame.”

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian State of West Bengal and has a huge football fanbase in a way that is hollow in the cricket ground.

In the city, it is common to see hundreds of thousands of fans gathered in stadiums for a Derby of local clubs.

Announcing a question, Berenerjee apologized to Messi and “sports lovers” for the incident in the stadium.

“The (Inquiry) Committee will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend future steps,” he told X.

In the early hours of Saturday, thousands lined the streets and gathered outside the hotel where Messi was staying to try and catch a glimpse of him.

Hitesh, a 24-year-old corporate lawyer, flew nearly 1,900 kilometers from the South Indian city of Bengaluru.

“For me it’s personal. You can see I’m short, and I like to play football with my friends,” Hitesh told the BBC, standing in front of the statue.

“Messi is the player I relate to, no one can match his talent. He gives me hope that with talent you can do anything.”

Just a small part of India’s homage to the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward.

Fans can visit the ‘Hola Messi’ fan life zone with Replica Messi sitting on a throne and a recreation of manniquins of the Player and his family sitting on the balcony.