Kolkata witnessed scenes of excitement turning into frustration on Saturday evening as angry fans threw chairs and bottles during Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, following what many felt was an underwhelming and abruptly ended event.

Thousands of supporters had gathered at the iconic venue, some paying as much as 12,000 rupees (£100; $133), hoping to catch a closer glimpse of the Argentine football icon. The atmosphere was electric as fans chanted Messi’s name, waved flags, donned Argentina jerseys and wore headbands declaring their love for the global superstar.

Messi, who is in India as part of his ‘GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Tour’, briefly walked around the pitch, waving to the crowd. However, his presence was largely obscured by a sizeable entourage of officials and celebrities. After around 20 minutes, the Inter Miami forward was swiftly escorted out of the stadium by security personnel, leaving many fans confused and disappointed.

As it became clear that Messi’s appearance had ended earlier than expected, sections of the crowd turned hostile. According to local media reports, some frustrated supporters stormed the pitch, vandalised banners and tents, and hurled plastic chairs and water bottles towards the field. Security forces intervened to bring the situation under control.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the events, condemning the disorder that unfolded after the footballer’s departure.

Messi’s visit to India is part of a series of promotional events across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. His tour began in Kolkata with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue in his honour, constructed over 27 days by a 45-member team. Due to security concerns, Messi appeared virtually at the unveiling ceremony.

The 2022 World Cup winner, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, had reportedly been expected to take part in a short exhibition match at the stadium, according to AFP. The absence of such an appearance appears to have added to the crowd’s frustration.

Despite the unrest, the incident underscores the immense popularity Messi enjoys in India, where his visit drew massive crowds and intense emotional investment from fans—an enthusiasm that, on this occasion, spilled over into disorder when expectations went unmet.