Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Messi's India Tour Marred by Chaos
Lionel Messi visited India for a three-day tour called the G.O.A.T Tour.
Many people were excited to see him, but the events were chaotic and poorly managed, especially in Kolkata.
Fans who paid a lot of money for tickets couldn't even see Messi because of the crowd and security issues.
Some people, like sports star Abhinav Bindra, criticized the tour for spending too much money on photo opportunities instead of helping Indian sports.
There was also vandalism at the stadium, and an inquiry committee recommended a special team to investigate.
Actress Subhashree Ganguly received death threats for posting photos with Messi, which upset many fans.
The tour included meet-and-greet sessions but didn't focus much on football, which disappointed many fans.
Lionel Messi's G.O.A.T Tour in India was marred by chaos and mismanagement, particularly in Kolkata.
Abhinav Bindra criticized the tour for being resource-intensive and lacking meaningful football engagement.
An inquiry committee recommended a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe vandalism at Salt Lake Stadium.
Actress Subhashree Ganguly received death threats for posting photos with Messi, sparking outrage.
The tour included meet-and-greet sessions but did not focus on football, disappointing many fans.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Abhinav Bindra, Subhashree Ganguly, Mamata Banerjee
- What
- Chaotic and resource-intensive G.O.A.T Tour in India, criticism from Abhinav Bindra, vandalism at Salt Lake Stadium, death threats to Subhashree Ganguly
- When
- December 13 (Messi's Kolkata visit), Monday (probe panel report), specific dates for other events not mentioned
- Where
- India (New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai)
- Why
- Concerns about resource allocation, mismanagement, and fan disappointment
Critics
Organizers
Resource Allocation
Critics
Critics argue that the tour was resource-intensive and lacked meaningful football engagement, suggesting funds could have been better used for sports development.
Organizers
Organizers focused on providing exclusive access to Messi, prioritizing high-profile interactions and photo opportunities.
Fan Experience
Critics
Critics highlight the mismanagement and chaos, particularly in Kolkata, which left many fans disappointed and frustrated.
Organizers
Organizers aimed to manage security and logistics to ensure Messi's safety, which sometimes resulted in limited fan access.
- Critic
- Abhinav Bindra
- Tour Name
- G.O.A.T Tour
- Tour Duration
- Three days
- Tour Cities
- Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi
- Messi's Role
- Meet-and-greet sessions, no real football connection
- Bindra's Concern
- Resource allocation for sports development
- Bindra's Admiration
- Messi's perseverance and humility
- Inquiry Committee
- Recommended SIT to probe stadium vandalism
- Chief Minister
- Mamata Banerjee
- Arrested Individuals
- Two people for vandalism, main organizer Satadru Dutta in police custody
- Subhashree Ganguly
- Received death threats for photos with Messi
Sources
What were we really trying to achieve? “Uneasy” Bindra on Messi’s G.O.A.T Tour
‘I met Messi’ was the headline of the GOAT tour. Football and fans were ignored
Received death threats for my kids after posting photos with Messi, says Subhashree Ganguly - Telegraph India
