Fans throw chairs and storm on to the field at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) during the Lionel Messi G.O.A.T Tour (Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Lionel Messi's arrival in India descended into utter chaos as thousands of incensed fans invaded the pitch and launched bottles after being deprived of glimpsing the football icon. Enormous crowds remained well past midnight to welcome the Argentine genius 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 mayhem as fans sprinted across airport terminals, chanting his name and waving Argentina flags. Accompanied by Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul under heavy security, Messi was swiftly escorted from the VIP entran

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