Kolkata, West Bengal – Angry football fans resorted to vandalism at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata following what they described as extremely poor event management and a disappointing appearance by football legend Lionel Messi.
The incident occurred after Messi left the stadium, leaving thousands of fans frustrated and feeling cheated. The event, which had generated massive excitement among football enthusiasts across West Bengal, turned chaotic as disappointed attendees expressed their anger over the brief appearance of the Argentine superstar.
According to eyewitnesses, Messi was present at the venue for approximately 10 minutes before departing, which triggered widespread discontent among fans who had paid substantial amounts and traveled long distances to see their idol in action.
A visibly upset fan who attended the event shared his disappointment, stating that the entire experience was “absolutely terrible.” He explained that Messi came for just 10 minutes and was immediately surrounded by leaders and ministers, making it impossible for regular fans to see him properly.
The fan further expressed his frustration, revealing that Messi did not take a single kick or attempt a single penalty during his brief appearance. This left fans who had come expecting to witness the football legend showcase his skills feeling completely let down.
Adding to the disappointment, organizers had reportedly promised that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan would also attend the event. However, the actor did not make an appearance, further fueling the anger of attendees.
“They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn’t bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything,” the disappointed fan stated.
The poor organization and mismanagement of the event led to scenes of vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, one of India’s largest football venues. Frustrated fans damaged property at the stadium premises as they vented their anger over what they perceived as a complete waste of their resources.
Many attendees had invested significant amounts of money purchasing tickets, along with travel and accommodation expenses, hoping to witness Messi perform or at least interact meaningfully with fans. The brief appearance, coupled with restricted visibility due to the presence of dignitaries, left the crowd feeling deceived.
The incident has raised serious questions about event management standards and the treatment of ordinary fans at such high-profile occasions. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints from attendees who shared similar experiences of disappointment and frustration.
The Salt Lake Stadium, officially known as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, is one of the largest stadiums in the world by capacity and has hosted numerous international sporting events. However, this incident has tarnished its reputation and raised concerns about future events at the venue.
As per the disappointed fan’s account, “So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything.”
