Messi finally kicks a ball in India as Kolkata chaos gives way to Hyderabad joy

Lionel Messi at last got his moment in front of Indian fans after a chaotic start to his tour, with the Argentina great finally taking to the pitch in Hyderabad following ugly scenes in Kolkata.

The Inter Miami star’s first stop in India turned sour when his appearance at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium lasted barely 20 minutes before security concerns forced organisers to rush him away. What started as euphoria quickly boiled over, with furious fans ripping up seats and hurling objects onto the pitch.

Messi had arrived in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday to a hero’s welcome, with thousands lining the airport roads to catch a glimpse. He was joined by club and international team-mates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, and excitement only grew as around 85,000 supporters packed into Salt Lake Stadium later that morning.

But fans barely saw their idol. Messi was whisked off amid safety fears, sparking angry scenes in the stands. Footage showed supporters climbing fences and throwing debris, while event organiser Satadru Dutta was later detained over alleged mismanagement. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has since ordered a high-level enquiry into the disorder.

Relief came at stop two. In Hyderabad, the mood flipped completely as Messi was welcomed by a thunderous crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. This time, he actually played — even if only briefly — exchanging passes with Suarez and De Paul and sharing the pitch with local youth footballers and Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy.

The 36-year-old looked relaxed as he finally touched the ball in front of Indian supporters, something many feared might not happen after the Kolkata debacle. Cheers rang round the stadium and phones were held aloft everywhere. No trouble. Just football.

Messi later addressed the crowd, saying: “Thank you very much for all your affection. It’s an honour for us to spend these days here in India with you.” De Paul called it a “very special night”, while Suarez added a quick thank you and a grin.

Messi’s GOAT Tour 2025 rolls on next to Mumbai, before a planned visit to Delhi. After a messy start, the organisers will be hoping the worst is over — and that India gets a few more moments with the biggest name the game has ever seen.