PHOTO: AFP/FACEBOOK

The pull of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was meant to offer fans the satisfaction of at least a fleeting glimpse, but the frenzy surrounding his arrival in India spiralled into chaos instead. Messi touched down in Kolkata at around 2:26am on Saturday, beginning his three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. Despite the late hour, thousands gathered outside the airport and later near his hotel, creating a carnival-like atmosphere with chants, flags and phone lights as the Argentine great was escorted through heavy security. Hours later, Salt Lake Stadium was packed with fans hoping to see Messi, who briefly walked around the pitch waving before leaving within about 20 minutes amid mounting unrest. Frustration over tight security and mismanagement boiled over as spectators tore down banners, hurled water bottles and stormed the pitch, forcing authorities to remove Messi for safety. The chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology and ordered a probe. Earlier, Messi met Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan at a closed-door event. He will next visit Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, where a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled.