Kolkata, India December 13, 2025] The much fan’s awaited Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour 2025 has began with chaos in Kolkata that resulted in the arrest of organiser Satadru Dutta. Thousands of fans at the Salt Lake Stadium (Yuva Bharati Krirangan) were left furious after only managing a fleeting, heavily-obstructed glimpse of the legendary footballer with vip surrounded to Leo Messi made many his hardcore fans sad.
The three-day tour at four Indian places, which includes the participation of World Cup star Rodrigo De Paul, aims to bring Messi more closer to Indian fans, but the Kolkata event was turned into chaos due to organizers mismanagement.
Kolkata Chaos: VIPs Overshadow Leo Messi view to fans
The eagerly awaited return of Messi to Kolkata, his first since 2011, turned into a nightmare for spectators who paid for high priced tickets.
The Mess at event: Lionel Messi and his accompanied get to spent only a chaotic 20 minutes on the Salt Lake Stadium venue. Instead of a address and glimps to the present fans fans, Messi was immediately surrounded by a major presence of the VIPs, including State Sports Minister Arup Biswas. This created a human shield around the GOAT, making him invisible to the thousands of the fans present at the stadium, and many fans missed to get even a single glimps of the legend.
Fan Anger: Frustrated fans, many of whom had travelled from miles, the missed view of legend and mismanagement at stadium including damaged and unhygienic seating. The footage, widely shared online (including by Asianet and other news channels), showed the desperation and anger over the lack of a proper glimpse of Leo Messi even by paying high ticket fees.
Official Fallout: Following the crisis at Kolkata event, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized and ordered an investigation. Immediately after the chaos at event, the main organiser of the event, Satadru Dutta, was arrested later in the day for the mismanagement and failure to control the crowd. The planned inauguration of massive 70-foot Messi statue in the Kolkata city was also cancelled which again disappointed his Indian fans who was present at Kolkata to take a single glimpse of the legend footballer. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), who was also expected to attend the event, could not participate as the further event was cut short and concluded early.
As, the GOAT Tour Continues, Messi visiting to Hyderabad:
Following the unfortunate chaos in Kolkata, the focus shifts to the second event of the Messi India Tour schedule in Hyderabad.
Messi Hyderabad Match Live: The Argentine World Cup winner arrived in the city today for the main event at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The Hyderabad event features an exhibition match, with a unique highlight, is the highly-anticipated Messi vs CM Revanth Reddy’s team Match.
The Match Time: The event, including the exhibition football matches today and a short friendly game event with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, began late evening. The Messi vs Revanth Reddy match time was scheduled for around 7:50 PM, featuring Messi and CM Revanth Reddy’s XI in a short 20 minute friendly game and penalty shootouts.
Shady Management: Officials have assured that Messi in Hyderabad will be a much smoother event. learning from the Kolkata chaos blamed on Satadru Dutta who was messi’s tour organizer at Kolkata.
The Full Messi Schedule Further
The GOAT Tour continues its journey to Mumbai and New Delhi after Messi Hyderabad wraps up tonight.
December 14: Mumbai Events include a charity auction of World Cup memorabilia and a charity fashion show such as Padel Cup, Messi will make an appearance at the Padel GOAT Cup at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) and attend a Charity based Fashion Show & Auction, in the evening at the Wankhede Stadium will feature a charity fashion show, where Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning cup is expected to be auctioned.
Star Sightings: High-profile names from cricket (rumoured appearances by Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli) and Bollywood are expected to attend.
December 15: New Delhi: The tour concludes with a Messi’s high-profile meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed by felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Argentine will felicitate players from the Minerva Academy youth team, who achieved success in major European tournaments.
The recent quick arrest of Satadru Dutta at Kolkata event, signals the seriousness of the public outrage over the mismanagement of Messi’s appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium event. Despite the chaotic start at Kolkata, fans across the India hope to see the magic of Lionel Messi in the upcoming cities as the GOAT Tour progresses.
Which hotel Messi staying during his India Tour?
City: Kolkata 13 December, at Hotel Hyatt Regency
City: Hyderabad, 13 December at Hotel Taj Falaknuma Palace
Further Mumbai and Delhi Stay Locations are not yet revealed due to security reason.
Why Is This India Tour is very Important?
This visit is more than just a celebrity appearance, it is a significant commercial and cultural moment for Indian sports.
Global Spotlight on Indian Football World: Messi’s presence, along with two other global stars (Suárez and De Paul), shines an international spotlight on India’s growing football culture.
Inspiration for Youth: The planned football sessions and interaction events aim to provide a massive, youth talent boosting event for aspiring Indian footballers and fans.
High Demand: Searches for “Messi India Tour Tickets” and “GOAT Tour Schedule” have increased in internet due to his visit, which shows the intense fan of legend in Indian, following despite the high ticket prices (starting from approximately Rupees 2,250 to over Rupees 7,670).
