Lionel Messi ’s trip to India descended into utter chaos as thousands of irate fans launched a pitch invasion and threw bottles after failing to catch a glimpse of the football icon. Huge crowds waited past midnight to welcome the Argentine superstar on the opening leg of his GOAT India Tour 2025, a three-day, four-city itinerary billed as a landmark moment for Indian football.

Messi landed at 2.26am, triggering scenes of near hysteria as fans sprinted between airport gates, chanting his name and waving Argentina flags. Escorted under heavy security alongside Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was swiftly moved from the VIP entrance to his hotel

The Hyatt Regency quickly became the epicentre of what organisers called “Messi mania,” with barricades, drums, flashing phone camera

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