Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated “GOAT Tour” of India kicked off with high expectations but quickly spiraled into widespread disappointment at its opening stop in Kolkata on Saturday. Thousands of devoted fans, many who shelled out hundreds of dollars for tickets, found themselves frustrated after the soccer legend’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium lasted only about 20 minutes – far shorter than the promised 45-minute program. As the event wrapped up abruptly, attendees voiced their anger by damaging stadium property and tossing items onto the field, leading to a swift intervention by security forces and an official investigation.

The incident, which unfolded under the watchful eyes of heavy security, highlighted the intense passion soccer fans in India hold for Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team. What was meant to be a celebratory homage to the 38-year-old star turned into a flashpoint for criticism over event management, ticket pricing and unfulfilled promises. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing shock at the turn of events, ordered a probe into the matter and extended apologies to both Messi and the fans.

Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez and Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul, arrived in Kolkata early Saturday morning amid a frenzy of excitement. Fans lined the streets near his hotel, waving Argentine flags and donning blue-and-white jerseys, eager for a glimpse of the man many consider the greatest player in football history. The tour’s launch also featured the virtual unveiling of a towering 70-foot statue of Messi hoisting the World Cup trophy – a structure assembled over 27 days by a team of 45 artisans. Organizers had billed the stadium visit as a highlight, complete with expectations of a brief exhibition match and closer interactions with the icon.

Yet, from the moment Messi stepped onto the pitch, things felt off-kilter. Surrounded by a phalanx of officials, politicians and celebrities – including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whom Messi met earlier in the day – the forward’s lap around the field was largely obscured from the stands. Fans craned their necks and climbed barriers for a better view, but the entourage blocked most sightlines. After waving briefly to the crowd, Messi was escorted out by security, citing protocol and safety concerns, leaving the stadium in stunned silence that soon erupted into boos and chants of disapproval.

Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of mounting tension. “We came here to see Messi, not a parade of VIPs,” said Rajesh Kumar, a 32-year-old software engineer from nearby Howrah, who had purchased a premium ticket for 8,000 rupees (about $95). Kumar, like many others, had taken time off work and traveled by train to attend. “He was there for maybe 15 minutes, and half of that was hidden behind people taking selfies with police escorts. It’s heartbreaking.” Similar sentiments echoed through social media, where videos of the crowd’s reaction quickly amassed millions of views. One clip showed attendees dismantling temporary seating and flinging water bottles toward the track, actions that organizers later described as isolated outbursts from a “small group.”

Ticket prices, ranging from 4,000 to 12,000 rupees ($48 to $143), added fuel to the fire. For many middle-class Indians, these costs represented a significant outlay – equivalent to a week’s groceries or a month’s utility bills for some households. Hitesh Patel, a 24-year-old corporate lawyer from Bengaluru who flew 1,200 miles for the event, called it “a betrayal of trust.” Patel, who idolizes Messi’s underdog story from his Rosario youth academy days, shared on Instagram: “I saved for months to be here. He inspires me every day on the field, but this felt like we were just props for the elite.”

The backlash wasn’t limited to the stadium. Outside, traffic snarled as supporters gathered, some camping overnight in hopes of spotting Messi’s convoy. Kolkata, a city of 15 million with a storied football heritage dating back to British colonial times, has long been a hotbed for the sport in a nation dominated by cricket. Clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal draw fervent crowds, and Messi’s global appeal has only amplified that energy. Local media outlets reported that over 50,000 tickets sold out in minutes when they went on sale last month, underscoring the hype.

As the dust settled, authorities moved decisively. Kolkata Police arrested Shatadru Dutt, the event’s chief organizer, on charges related to public safety violations and misleading promotion. A spokesperson for the force stated, “We are reviewing footage and witness statements to ensure accountability. Refunds will be processed for all valid ticket holders within 48 hours.” Banerjee, addressing the media from her Kolkata office, didn’t mince words: “I am deeply disturbed by this mismanagement. It tarnishes the spirit of sportsmanship that Messi embodies. We will leave no stone unturned in our inquiry.” The All India Football Federation (AIFF) distanced itself, noting the tour was a private venture unaffiliated with official bodies.

Messi himself remained silent on the matter, with his representatives declining comment when reached by international outlets. However, sources close to the tour indicated that enhanced security protocols were already in place for the remaining stops, including additional barriers and staggered entry times to prevent overcrowding. The Argentine star, fresh off leading Inter Miami to the MLS Supporters’ Shield in November, appeared unfazed in post-event photos shared by organizers, smiling alongside Suárez during a private dinner at a five-star hotel.

To understand the depth of this fiasco, it’s essential to zoom out to Messi’s extraordinary journey – a narrative that has captivated billions, including India’s 1.4 billion soccer enthusiasts. Born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Andrés Messi rose from humble beginnings, diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that threatened his career. At 13, FC Barcelona scouted him and covered his medical treatments, launching a saga of 778 goals in 848 appearances for the club. His crowning achievement came in 2022: captaining Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, silencing critics who once labeled him “unlucky” in international play.

In India, Messi’s allure transcends borders. Unlike cricket icons like Virat Kohli, who command domestic loyalty, Messi represents a global undercurrent in a country where the Indian Super League (ISL) is steadily gaining traction. A 2023 Nielsen survey found that 60% of urban Indian youth under 25 cite Messi as their favorite athlete, edging out even local heroes. His move to Inter Miami in 2023, drawing U.S. audiences and LeBron James as a co-owner, further globalized his brand. The GOAT Tour, sponsored by a consortium of Indian firms including Tata Group and Reliance Industries, aims to tap this fervor through fan zones, merchandise drops and charity initiatives for youth soccer programs.

The tour’s itinerary reflects this ambition. After Kolkata, Messi heads to Hyderabad on Sunday for a meet-and-greet at the Gachibowli Stadium, followed by Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday – a venue more famous for cricket but now hosting a “Messi Legacy” exhibit with interactive holograms of his iconic goals. The finale in New Delhi on Tuesday could include a sit-down with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has championed sports infrastructure as part of his “Fit India” campaign. Organizers project over 200,000 attendees across the four cities, with proceeds partly funding academies modeled after La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth system.

Yet, the Kolkata episode raises pointed questions about executing such spectacles in emerging markets. Event management experts point to similar misfires, like the 2019 Coldplay concert in Mumbai, where ticketing glitches left fans in the lurch. “High-profile tours like this require meticulous crowd control and transparent communication,” said Dr. Priya Sharma, a sports marketing professor at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. “Promising an exhibition game that doesn’t happen erodes trust. In India, where disposable income varies wildly, pricing must align with delivery.”

Fan testimonials underscore the emotional stakes. Nabin Chatterjee, a 37-year-old businessman from Kolkata’s Salt Lake neighborhood, brought his 10-year-old son, Aryan, who dreams of emulating Messi’s dribbling wizardry. “Aryan practices with a plastic ball in our courtyard every evening,” Chatterjee recounted. “We paid 6,000 rupees because Messi teaches resilience – scoring from impossible angles, never giving up. But seeing him whisked away like that? It felt like a lesson in disappointment.” Ajay Shah, another attendee, lambasted the setup: “Security was everywhere, but they spent more time posing for photos than ensuring we could see our hero. Management failed us.”

Social media amplified these voices. Hashtags like #MessiInIndia and #GOATTourFail trended globally, with memes juxtaposing Messi’s serene pitch walk against chaotic aftermath footage. One viral post quipped, “Messi: Scores in 90 minutes. Kolkata organizers: Delivers in 20.” Celebrities weighed in too – Khan, who shares a mutual admiration with Messi, posted a supportive message: “Disappointment is part of the game, but passion endures. Let’s focus on the magic he’s brought to our shores.”

On the flip side, some defended the tour’s intent. “This isn’t just about one stadium visit,” argued Vikram Singh, a Mumbai-based promoter involved in ISL events. “It’s building a soccer ecosystem. The fan zones alone have engaged 100,000 kids this week, learning Messi’s fundamentals through apps and clinics.” Indeed, the “Hola Messi” zones – featuring throne replicas, trophy displays and a mock-up of Messi’s Miami balcony – have drawn families eager for immersive experiences. In Kolkata, one such setup near the stadium offered free VR simulations of Messi’s 2022 World Cup final goal, a hit despite the main event’s letdown.

Looking ahead, the tour’s resilience will be tested. Hyderabad officials have pledged “ironclad” logistics, including drone surveillance and fan feedback hotlines. Mumbai’s leg, overlapping with the IPL off-season, could draw crossover crowds from cricket fans curious about the soccer surge. In Delhi, the potential Modi meeting might elevate the tour’s diplomatic sheen, positioning India as a hub for international sports tourism. Analysts estimate the venture could inject $50 million into local economies through hotels, transport and merch sales.

For Messi, this detour underscores his post-retirement pivot. At 38, with a net worth exceeding $650 million from endorsements with Adidas, Pepsi and Apple, he’s eyeing philanthropy and media ventures. His Messi Foundation has built 28 academies worldwide, including one in Kerala, India, training 500 aspiring talents annually. The GOAT Tour aligns with this, blending commerce and cause – a tightrope walk between fan service and security.

As Saturday’s sun set over the Hooghly River, cleanup crews worked under floodlights at Salt Lake Stadium, a venue that hosted Pele’s 1977 visit and now bears scars from Messi’s. One graffiti tag read: “Messi Forever” – a reminder that amid the frustration, the adoration persists. For Indian fans, this was less a collapse than a call to action: demanding better from organizers while cherishing the fleeting joy of their idol’s presence.

The inquiry’s findings, expected next week, could reshape event standards nationwide. Until then, eyes turn southward, where Hyderabad awaits with bated breath. Will the GOAT Tour redeem itself, or will Kolkata’s echoes linger? Only time – and tighter planning – will tell.