Messi's India Visit Marred by Chaos: Overcrowding and Poor Security Spark Frustration
Image Source: Internet
The highly anticipated visit of football legend Lionel Messi to India's City of Joy, Kolkata, turned into a nightmare for fans on December 13. Despite paying hefty sums for tickets to the first leg of his four-city tour, they were left disappointed and frustrated as they failed to catch even a glimpse of the Argentine star. A swarm of politicians, VVIPs, security personnel, and fans surrounded Messi for selfies, overwhelming him and leaving him visibly uncomfortable. The crowd was so dense that cameras struggled to focus on Messi on the giant screens at the Salt Lake Stadium. Organisers attempted to engage fans with a 35-minute exhibition match between Mohun Bagan Messi XI and Diamond Harbour Messi XI, but the situation quickly escalated as the area became overcrowded. Former India midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick, who participated in the match, recalled that Messi initially seemed relaxed and enthusiastic but became visibly uncomfortable as the crowd surged. "It was a chaotic situation that unfolded quickly," Bhowmick said. "As the crowd rushed onto the field and started taking pictures, Messi's demeanor changed, and he showed signs of irritation. He eventually lost his cool, and everything descended into chaos.
