Overview
- Messi left early after bottle throwing, ripped-out seats and pitch invasions were reported at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
- Police said they arrested main organizer Satadru Dutta, and authorities reported plans to refund ticket holders.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized on X, calling the scenes mismanagement and ordering an investigation.
- Many fans who paid about 12,000 rupees said tight security and poor sightlines meant they could not see Messi, fueling anger.
- Earlier in the day he unveiled a roughly 21‑metre statue, and reports say the itinerary continues to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul and a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.