Inside photos: Messi event at Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium descends into chaos

Several planned ceremonial moments never happened. A scheduled lap involving celebrities and former sportspersons was cancelled as the situation worsened. Some invited guests waited outside the stadium but left without entering, sensing the growing disorder and lack of crowd control.

Tens of thousands of fans reached Salt Lake stadium at dawn, many wearing Argentina jerseys with Messi’s name. Ticket prices ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 16,000. Expectations were sky-high, with fans hoping for a proper glimpse of the football legend they had waited years to see.

Lionel Messi stepped onto the field around 11.30am to thunderous cheers. However, within moments, he was surrounded by a dense crowd of officials, VIPs and selfie-seekers. The paying spectators in the stands could barely see him before confusion took over.

Many fans said they felt cheated after paying large sums. Some waved torn tickets in protest. Others spoke of saving money for months to attend the event. Hospitality items were thrown in anger, symbolising the sense of betrayal felt by supporters.

With the crowd refusing to disperse and security space shrinking, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were escorted off the pitch within 15 minutes. The decision was taken citing safety concerns, but it crushed hopes of fans who expected a longer interaction or lap.

Once it became clear that Messi would not return, frustration boiled over. Fans broke barricades, stormed the pitch and damaged temporary structures. Security personnel were caught off guard as emotions spilled out, turning disappointment into open rage across the stadium.

Police forces were overwhelmed by the sudden surge of people on the ground. Fearing a stampede due to narrow exits and packed concourses, officers avoided aggressive action. Extended efforts were needed to restore some order and prevent injuries amid the confusion.

The stadium infrastructure bore the brunt of the chaos. Goalposts, nets and the players’ tunnel were damaged. Makeshift tents were torn down, while bottles and plastic chairs were hurled from the stands, leaving visible destruction at a venue refurbished years earlier.

Hours after the incident, the organiser of the event was detained as authorities began action against those responsible. Organisers gave an undertaking to refund tickets, while officials said steps were being taken to work out how the refund process would be carried out.

The collapse stemmed from severe mismanagement, with too many people crowding Messi’s immediate space. VIPs, officials and admirers blocked security zones, ignoring repeated requests to clear the area. The chaos robbed paying spectators of visibility and triggered the eventual breakdown.