They say you should never meet your heroes, but they usually mean because they might be rude or have bad breath. They don’t usually mean because you’ll be trapped behind a human wall of sweating politicians and selfie snapping military personnel while your hero waves from a distance and vanishes like a mirage.
For the football mad fans of Kolkata, Lionel Messi’s “GOAT Tour” of India kicked off this week with all the grace of a sliding tackle on concrete. While the Argentine icon is fresh off winning his second consecutive MLS MVP award with Inter Miami, his welcome in the “City of Joy” was, shall we say, a little less than joyful.
The Statue and the Scuffle
The day began with a touch of the gargantuan. Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) iron statue of himself hoisting the World Cup, a structure so large it probably has its own weather system. But while the statue was stationary, Messi certainly wasn’t.
Despite fans paying up to Rs 25,000 (£235) or as one fan put it, “a month’s salary” to see the legend, the actual “Messi time” was reportedly shorter than a VAR review. The 85,000 capacity Salt Lake Stadium descended into a scene from a disaster movie when it became clear that the VIPs and VVIPs were the only ones getting a look in.
Frustrated supporters began a DIY stadium renovation, ripping out seats and hurling water bottles onto the track. It turns out that when you promise the Greatest of All Time and deliver a 20 minute drive by waving session, people tend to lose their cool.
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
The fallout has been swift:
The “Chief Organiser”: Arrested. Apparently, “normalcy” has returned, but the organiser’s weekend plans have been firmly cancelled.
The Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee issued a “shocked and disturbed” apology on X, promising a high-level probe.
The AIFF: The All India Football Federation pulled the classic “I don’t even work here” move, claiming they weren’t involved in the planning or execution of the private event.
The Road Ahead (and the Fog)
The tour now wobbles on to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. While Messi was hoping to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM has reportedly jetted off to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. Between political snubs and the legendary Delhi fog delaying flights, Leo might be wondering if he should have just stayed in Miami with David Beckham.
Still, for a man who has conquered every pitch on the planet, a bit of stadium vandalism and some confused politicians are just another day at the office. Argentina’s World Cup defence starts in six months; let’s hope the security there is slightly more interested in the football than in taking selfies.
The Final Score
Messi came, he saw, and he left before the halftime snacks were even served. If you’re heading to the Delhi or Mumbai legs, our advice is simple: bring binoculars, a sturdy helmet, and perhaps a cardboard cutout of Messi, it’ll probably stay on the pitch longer than the real one.
What a Messy turnout!
\Related topics: Football
