Lionel Messi’s India Tour promised fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the football legend. Instead, it became a scandal of VIP favouritism and commercial exploitation. Fans paid up to ₹10 lakh for tickets and hoped to click a photo with Messi, but the real access seemed to be reserved for politicians, policemen, and celebrities.
The most galling sight, Shah Rukh Khan and his son Abram meeting Messi effortlessly, while thousands of paying fans were left scrambling for a glimpse. Several TMC leaders and police officials also got prolonged, exclusive access.
“It’s a complete fraud. Messi was not shown at all. Only reporters, police, and TMC leaders got to see him. We paid ₹5,000 for tickets, while those who came for free were able to see Messi and leave,” a fan said.
Messi India Tour: ‘Total Scam,’ Say Angry Fans
The disappointment boiled over quickly. One fan said, “‘We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money back… The ministers were there with their children, and the other people could not see anything… We are very hurt.’”
Another supporter who paid ₹12,000 said bluntly: “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then? We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face.”
Fans accused the organisers of prioritising political optics and celebrity photo‑ops over genuine fan experience, branding the event management “absolutely terrible” and “a black day for Kolkata.”
Messi India Tour: VIPs & Star Kids Get the Front Row
Messi’s India tour included a buzz‑worthy encounter with Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and his young son Abram, who were seen meeting the football legend at the event. Social media lit up as fans shared these moments, calling it “two legends in a frame.”
But outside this curated spotlight, thousands of ticket‑paying fans struggled to even catch a glimpse of Messi’s face when he appeared in the stadium. Many fans claimed that politicians and their children, police officials, party leaders and other VIPs surrounded Messi, effectively blocking the view for the public.
Messi India Tour: Paying Fans Left in the Lurch
Fans who spent thousands on the event were left frustrated and outraged. Many claimed they couldn’t even see Messi properly, as VIPs blocked all access, leaving ordinary attendees struggling for photos.
“Why did they charge us if we were not going to see him?” asked another disappointed fan. “This is not just mismanagement; it’s exploitation. They made money off the fans while celebrities and politicians got free access.”
The outrage quickly spilt over into chaos and protests at Salt Lake Stadium, with fans demanding refunds and accountability.
Messi India Tour: Organizers Under Fire
The organizers of Messi’s India tour are now facing severe criticism. Collecting nearly ₹10 lakh from fans for a picture while giving free access to VIPs is being seen as a blatant breach of trust and commercial greed.
Critics say this incident reflects poor planning, lack of transparency, and favouritism. Despite selling expensive tickets, organizers failed to guarantee even basic access to Messi for paying fans.
Messi India Tour: Fans Demand Accountability & Refunds
Social media was filled with fans demanding accountability from organisers and refunds for the high ticket prices. Calls for refunds grew louder as supporters shared their experiences online, saying they spent a month’s salary just to see Messi.
The lack of clear crowd management and the limited interaction further fueled these frustrations. One fan lamented that the event “felt like a scam” due to poor planning and prioritising select attendees over the paying public.
Disappointment After Paying Big Money
Fans said tickets ranged from a few thousand rupees to high‑priced seats costing up to ₹12,000 or more. Many had queued early and waited hours, only to find that their view was blocked or obscured. Another supporter blasted the organisers: “We all wanted to see Messi… but it was a total scam. We want our money back.”
Angry attendees described how Messi’s short appearance — barely 10–20 minutes — was dominated by officials and dignitaries who had far better access than common fans.
Chaos Inside Salt Lake Stadium
Frustration turned into action. With emotions running high, crowds began throwing bottles and chairs, damaging hoardings and barriers as anger spread through the stands. Security struggled to calm sections of the audience, and the situation threatened to escalate further.
Amid the unrest, Messi — who had arrived alongside his Inter Miami teammates — stayed at the venue only briefly and was escorted out early by security to avoid confrontation.
Political Implications
West Bengal’s TMC leaders faced backlash as the public perceived that the event became a political showcase rather than a fan celebration. Opposition parties demanded investigations into how VIPs and party affiliates were allowed preferential access.
Meanwhile, fans’ anger has grown on social media, highlighting that money cannot buy memories when organizers stack the deck in favor of celebrities and politicians.
