Fans storm pitch after Messi leaves India event early

Thousands packed a stadium in eastern India for Lionel Messi’s visit. Heavy security and limited access left many waiting for hours without seeing him. After he left early, some fans reacted angrily, citing ticket price.

Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata after football star Lionel Messi left the arena earlier than expected.

Messi, who is on a three-day visit billed as a "GOAT Tour," arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday. Fans greeted the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami forward with chants of his name.

How did Messi's fans react to his Kolkata visit?

At Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, Messi walked around the pitch, waving to the crowd before leaving the stadium ahead of schedule.

Frustrated spectators, some of whom had paid more than 12,000 rupees (€113, $132) for tickets, ripped out seats, threw water bottles onto the track, and vandalized banners and tents. Others ran onto the pitch before security intervened.

"For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium," businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told the AFP news agency. 

Indian news agency ANI said the soccer player, considered the greatest of his generation, had earlier been escorted out of the airport via an alternative route because an overwhelming number of people turned out at the airport to catch a glimpse of him.

Messi is visiting India as part of what's billed as his "GOAT (greatest of all time) Tour" and is set to tour four cities in total: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Messi visited Kolkata, the former capital of British-ruled India, for the first time in 2011. 

This time, the soccer-mad city built a 70-foot-tall statue to mark his visit. The statue was inaugurated Saturday with Messi taking part in the ceremony.

Messi in India for less than 72 hours

Messi, who just won Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player award for the second season in a row after leading Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory, is scheduled to visit Hyderabad and Mumbai before concluding the tour in New Delhi on Monday.

In Delhi, Messi is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 2022 World Cup winner is set to cover India in less than 72 hours.

Messi is accompanied on the tour by his Inter Miami clubmates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar