Lionel Messi’s much-hyped Kolkata appearance at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) was meant to be a once-in-a-generation fan moment.

Instead, it ended in disorder—fans ripping up seats, throwing bottles, and spilling onto the pitch—after many in the stands said they barely saw the football legend, despite paying premium prices and travelling long distances.

What happened on the ground

Multiple accounts—including police briefings and reports from the venue—suggest the flashpoint was a mix of expectation and access.

Messi’s on-field presence was brief and tightly ring-fenced, with fans alleging they were left with obstructed views as a crowd of VIPs, officials, security personnel, and “hanger-ons” surrounded him almost immediately.

That congestion appeared to li

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