‘That’s when Messi’s team felt a serious threat’: Pen scratch, VIP grabbing and selfie-obsessed cops forced Kolkata exit

By Admin

15 Dec, 2025

What was supposed to be a historic and celebratory moment for football fans in Kolkata turned into chaos and controversy as Lionel Messi’s visit to the city ended abruptly due to serious security lapses. A report by The Times of India has revealed that Messi and his team felt a “serious threat” to his safety during his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium, forcing him to leave the venue within minutes of arrival.

A red-letter day turns chaotic

Lionel Messi’s four-city tour of India was meant to be a memorable experience for fans, but the tour hit a major roadblock in Kolkata on Saturday. The City of Joy was the first stop, and expectations were sky-high. However, what unfolded at the Salt Lake Stadium was far from organised. Instead of controlled security arrangements, the venue witnessed chaos, overcrowding and a complete breakdown of protocol.

Security lapses and selfie-seeking officials

According to the report, Messi felt unsafe almost immediately after reaching the stadium at around 11:30 am. Politicians, event organisers and even police personnel swarmed the Argentine superstar, repeatedly requesting selfies and photographs. Rather than managing the crowd, several police officers allegedly joined the selfie rush, failing to discharge their primary duty of ensuring security.

The situation worsened when VIP passes were distributed liberally among politicians, organisers and their extended families. One VIP pass holder was reportedly seen clutching Messi’s hand while trying to take a selfie as the footballer attempted to wave to the nearly 60,000 fans present at the stadium.

Pen scratch triggers alarm

The turning point came when a woman rushed towards Messi seeking an autograph, triggering a sudden crush around him. During the commotion, a pen reportedly scratched Messi’s body. This incident immediately raised alarm within his security team. Messi is said to have informed organiser Satadru Dutta, who is now in police custody for mismanagement, that he wanted to leave the stadium as security was not up to standard.

A witness quoted in the report said Messi’s manager was heard saying “vida”, the Spanish word for “life”, signalling that the team felt the situation had become dangerous.

From smiles to discomfort in minutes

Initially, Messi appeared cheerful as he was welcomed by former India footballers Mehtab Hossain and Dipendu Biswas. He tried to remain composed despite the growing chaos. However, witnesses reported that selfie seekers began pushing and shoving him in a shocking manner. Although Messi attempted to maintain calm, his discomfort was clearly visible.

Exit in just 22 minutes

Sensing a serious threat to his safety, Messi left the Salt Lake Stadium within just 22 minutes of his arrival. His sudden exit left thousands of fans stunned and disappointed, many of whom had paid hefty sums for tickets in hopes of seeing the World Cup-winning icon in person.

Aftermath: anger and vandalism

Following Messi’s departure, frustration among spectators spilled over into violence. Angry fans resorted to vandalism inside and around the stadium, causing damage estimated at around INR 2.5 crore. What was meant to be a historic football celebration ended as a cautionary tale of mismanagement and failure to respect security protocols.

A tour that recovered elsewhere

While the Kolkata leg turned disastrous, Messi’s India tour reportedly took a better turn in Hyderabad and Mumbai, where arrangements were more controlled. However, the events at Salt Lake Stadium have raised serious questions about crowd management, VIP culture and the responsibility of authorities during high-profile international visits.

The incident serves as a stark reminder that even global icons are vulnerable when basic security discipline is ignored, and that the obsession with selfies and VIP access can turn celebration into chaos within minutes.