Messi India Tour Day 1: Kolkata Frenzy Shakes GOAT Visit

Kolkata, December 13: By Thursday evening, people were already outside the airport. There was no programme, no announcement, nothing official. They came anyway. Some had been there since afternoon. Others showed up after work. Nobody seemed to know exactly when Lionel Messi would land.

There were rumours. One said midnight. Another said later. Police kept asking people to clear the road. People shifted a little and came back again.

Messi arrived early Friday morning. Most of the crowd did not see him properly. A few cars passed. Someone shouted. Phones went up. That was it. Still, people cheered. Some hugged each other. For many, just knowing he was in the city was enough.

This was the first day of the GOAT India Tour 2025.

Why Kolkata Reacted Like This

Kolkata has always followed football differently. Argentina has had supporters here for decades. Maradona murals still exist in parts of the city. Messi’s career has been followed closely since his early Barcelona years.

Many of the fans outside Salt Lake on Friday had never attended a live international football match. Some had never seen a global sports star in person.

According to The New Indian Express, people stayed outside through the night. Tea stalls remained open. Police kept rotating staff. Nobody wanted to leave early and miss something.

Messi arrived on a Gulfstream V private jet, according to NDTV Sports. The aircraft details circulated widely online. On the ground, people mostly discussed whether he looked tired and whether he waved.

Statue Unveiling And Public Event

Later in the day, a 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi was unveiled near Salt Lake. According to Republic World, Messi reacted positively to the tribute and acknowledged the crowd briefly.

The situation changed once Shah Rukh Khan arrived at the venue. As reported by The Economic Times, the actor attended the event with his son. Crowd movement increased immediately. Security personnel were pushed back in some areas.

Several people in the crowd were unclear about whether this was a football event or a public appearance. The noise level rose sharply. Police had to intervene to keep passages clear.

Crowd Anger At Stadium Venue

Problems surfaced later in the day. According to Hindustan Times, Messi left a stadium venue earlier than expected. Many people waiting outside were unaware of this.

Some fans had been standing for hours. When it became clear that Messi would not return, tempers rose. Bottles were thrown. Police stepped in. The situation was brought under control.

Local media including Navbharat Times reported scenes of emotional distress. A newly married couple had reportedly postponed their honeymoon. Several fans said they had travelled overnight from nearby districts.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Next Stop Hyderabad

Messi is scheduled to travel to Hyderabad later on Friday, according to Deccan Chronicle. Cultural events and an exhibition football programme are planned.

Officials in Hyderabad have said security arrangements will be tighter. Access will be more controlled. There is still confusion among fans about how much Messi will participate on the field.

Organisers have said his role is ceremonial.

Where Messi Stands Professionally

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Messi won his second consecutive MLS MVP award after leading Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title.

According to World Soccer Talk, Inter Miami is also in discussions regarding the future of Luis Suárez, Messi’s long-time teammate.

According to The Economic Times, Messi is expected to visit multiple Indian cities during the tour and may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What Day One Showed

By night, large sections of the crowd had dispersed. Some fans remained outside venues, scrolling through photos and videos from earlier in the day.

The first day of the GOAT India Tour 2025 showed the scale of Messi’s following in India. It also showed how difficult it is to manage expectations when communication is unclear.

For many supporters, seeing Messi was never guaranteed. Being present in the same city was enough.

The tour continues.

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