Thousands of football fans from across India had gathered at Kolkata’s Jadavpur Stadium from the early hours to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. The eagerly awaited ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour’ had created immense excitement and anticipation among the spectators. One ardent supporter, Pradip Dhar, said, “I bought a ticket for four thousand rupees just to see Messi with my own eyes. I did not waste money on trying to see the ministers.”
Like Pradip, many fans had undertaken long journeys, enduring physical fatigue, to reach the stadium. He told the media, “I travelled from Kharagpur on a late-night train and spent the night at the station. I painstakingly arranged the ticket money just to see God once in person.”
The stadium had been prepared for several special events centred on Messi. These included meet-and-greet sessions, a reception, the virtual inauguration of his 70-foot-tall statue, exhibitions, and a series of other programmes. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was also expected to attend with his young son Abram.
However, the reality at the stadium fell short of fans’ expectations. Once inside, ordinary spectators struggled to see Messi clearly due to the security cordon around him, compounded by the crowd of organisers, leaders, ministers, and celebrities. Gradually, frustration and anger began to rise among the audience.
As tensions escalated, some spectators started throwing plastic water bottles from the stands. For safety reasons, Messi was promptly escorted out of the stadium. The disorder prompted intervention by the police and event organisers, and after an investigation, the organiser was detained.
The disappointment of the fans cast a shadow over what was meant to be a landmark occasion in the football world. Spectators expressed their frustration, saying, “We travelled such a long distance just for Messi, yet we could not see him properly. Both our efforts and our money have gone to waste.”
This incident clearly highlights that without direct interaction between famous athletes and their fans, combined with adequate security measures, large-scale disorder can occur. The events at Kolkata’s Jadavpur Stadium will serve as an instructive example for football supporters and event organisers alike, emphasising the critical importance of thorough planning, crowd management, and safety arrangements during high-profile sporting events.