New Delhi: A fan revealed he skipped his own wedding to get a glimpse of his favourite footballer, Lionel Messi, during his GOAT India tour event in Kolkata on Saturday. However, it turned out to be a forgetful experience for him. Thousands of fans were left disappointed after Messi’s event at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata was cut short due to security issues and poor crowd management.
What was expected to be a day of celebration for football lovers in Kolkata turned into a heartbreak after Messi’s event at the Salt Lake Stadium in the city ended abruptly. After Messi left the stadium earlier than expected, fans who waited for hours to get a glimpse of the legendary footballer, agitated and protested inside the stadium, leading to complete chaos.
Among the thousands who were left heartbroken due to Messi’s early exit was a fan who arrived at the venue after postponing his own wedding. Speaking to PTI outside the stadium, the fan revealed he skipped his wedding to catch a glimpse of his favourite footballer. However, he said his expectations were not fulfilled.
“Today is the 13th, and everyone knows that Messi was supposed to come to Kolkata. It’s my wedding today. Mera shaadi chhod ke aaya (I left my wedding and came here); but even then, our expectations were not fulfilled. His presence did feel good, I liked it; just his presence means a lot to me. But seeing him only from such a distance was not what we had expected,” the fan told PTI.
A man comes to see a glimpse of Messi by skipping his wedding ceremony but he was disappointed due to TMC’s mismanagement. pic.twitter.com/AYgGtRpIsI
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 13, 2025
We wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam: Fans slam organisers after Kolkata chaos
Excitement was in the air in Kolkata ahead of Messi’s arrival in the city on Saturday. The Argentine legend arrived in the city along with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The trio arrived together at the Salt Lake Stadium in the city for an event, where they were greeted by thousands of fans.
However, Messi’s visit to the stadium had to be cut short, leading to complete chaos at the venue. As per the schedule, the football icon was supposed to stay at the Salt Lake Stadium for around two hours, taking part in several events, including a coaching clinic for kids and a penalty shootout.
However, Messi had to leave early owing to security issues and poor crowd management. Spectators, who had waited hours to get a glimpse of the footballer, were agitated after the news spread that he had left the venue. Angry fans threw water bottles and other objects on the field, and some vandalised the stadium property.
“Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn’t see anything. So much money, emotions, and time wasted,” said a fan, complaining about the poor management of the much-anticipated event.
In the aftermath of the chaos, event promoter Satadru Dutta, the organiser of the event, was detained by the Kolkata police as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee issued an apology to fans on social media. She also assured the fans that they will receive a refund of their ticket amount from the organisers.