Chaos erupted at a stadium in Kolkata, India, following the abrupt departure of Lionel Messi during his three-day tour of the country. The 38-year-old Argentine and Inter Miami star arrived in West Bengal early Saturday as part of his widely publicized GOAT Tour, attracting massive crowds of excited supporters who chanted his name and waved Argentine flags.

Hours later, Salt Lake Stadium was at full capacity with fans, many wearing Messi jerseys and eager to see their football idol up close. However, heavy security measures and poor crowd management made it difficult for spectators to get a clear view of the superstar. Messi briefly walked around the pitch and waved to the crowd before leaving the stadium earlier than expected, which frustrated fans who had paid high ticket prices, some reportedly exceeding $100.

Angered by what they perceived as mismanagement, some spectators broke through barricades, ripped out stadium seats, and threw water bottles onto the track. Others stormed the pitch, vandalizing banners and tents set up for the event. 

“For me, watching Messi is a dream,” said Nabin Chatterjee, a 37-year-old businessman. “But I missed the chance to see him properly because of the poor organization.”

Before the situation escalated, Messi had unveiled a 21-meter (70-foot) iron statue of himself holding the World Cup, which was a major highlight of the event. He was also expected to play a short exhibition match, which ultimately did not occur.

Another disappointed fan, Ajay Shah, told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that many attendees had spent significant amounts just to be there. “I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The management is to blame,” he said.

In the aftermath of the disturbance, Javed Shamim, a senior state police official, confirmed that the chief organizer of the event had been arrested. He added that authorities were working to restore calm and explore possible refunds for ticket holders. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over the incident, describing the situation as “disturbing” and attributing the unrest to poor organization. Authorities have stated that normalcy has since returned to the stadium area, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.