Messi’s GOAT Tour Reaches Hyderabad Amid Fallout from Kolkata Chaos

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : The much-publicised GOAT Tour of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi reached Hyderabad on Saturday, with the global icon making a brief but high-profile appearance at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal. The Hyderabad stop came close on the heels of a controversial first leg in Kolkata, where chaos erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium following Messi’s fleeting appearance, leaving thousands of fans angry despite paying premium prices for tickets.

Messi arrived in the Telangana capital earlier in the day and participated in several carefully curated photo opportunities. He was seen casually kicking a football with children, interacting with organisers, and posing for pictures with officials. During his Hyderabad visit, the World Cup-winning star also met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, adding a political dimension to his tightly controlled itinerary.

At the Uppal Stadium, however, Messi’s presence was limited. Rather than stepping onto the pitch, the Argentine maestro remained inside a VIP box. He briefly waved to the crowd, with his image flashed on the giant screens and broadcast visuals as a match was underway. While the appearance drew cheers, many fans noted that it was another short and symbolic engagement rather than a direct interaction with spectators.

The Hyderabad event appeared designed to signal continuity and normalcy for the GOAT Tour after the turbulence witnessed in Kolkata. Organisers made visible efforts to project that the tour was proceeding smoothly, despite reports emerging on Saturday that one of the principal organisers of the Kolkata leg had been arrested by the police for alleged mismanagement.

Earlier in the day, Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the Salt Lake Stadium event on the outskirts of Kolkata, was taken into custody following widespread disorder at the venue. The event had descended into chaos after spectators, frustrated by limited access to Messi and what they termed exorbitant ticket prices, resorted to vandalism and unruly behaviour.

Confirming the arrest, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said that a First Information Report would be registered and a detailed investigation initiated. “A thorough probe will be conducted to identify the causes of the mismanagement that ultimately led to the chaos. The police are taking this matter very seriously, and all those found responsible will be held accountable,” he said.

The Kolkata event had spiralled out of control as agitated fans breached barricades and damaged property inside the stadium. With the situation worsening rapidly, police were forced to carry out a large-scale lathi charge and deploy personnel from the Rapid Action Force to restore order. Amid the unrest, Messi reportedly left the venue earlier than scheduled, further fuelling anger among ticket-holders.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was en route to the stadium at the time, was informed about the violence and vandalism. She instructed her driver to turn back and later announced the formation of a judicial committee to investigate the incident and fix responsibility for the lapses.

The three-member probe panel will be headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray. The state’s Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, and Additional Secretary in the Home and Hill Affairs Department, Nandini Chakraborty, will serve as members of the committee.

Announcing the inquiry, Banerjee said the panel would conduct a comprehensive examination of the circumstances that led to the breakdown of order and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. “I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers,” she said, expressing regret over the events that marred Messi’s much-anticipated visit.

As the GOAT Tour moves forward, Messi’s Hyderabad appearance has offered organisers a momentary breather. Yet, the shadow of the Kolkata controversy continues to loom large, raising questions about event planning, crowd management, and expectations when global sporting icons meet passionate fans.

Team Maverick.