Chaos Unfolds at Lionel Messi's Brief India Appearance

Lionel Messi's visit to India took a chaotic turn as frustrated fans threw objects and ripped seats after his brief 20-minute appearance. The incident led to an apology from West Bengal's chief minister and a promised enquiry. Messi's tour includes concerts, football clinics, and charitable events.

Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India began on a tumultuous note as disgruntled fans caused chaos at Salt Lake stadium on Saturday. Fans, who had gathered in Kolkata with high hopes, found their expectations dashed after Messi's brief 20-minute appearance, leaving many feeling cheated.

The unrest quickly escalated, with objects and ripped seat parts hurled onto the pitch. Despite the frenzy, Messi remained hidden behind a large security entourage, further fueling fans' frustration. The incident gained significant attention, leading to West Bengal state's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, issuing an apology to both Messi and his fans.

In response to the disorder, Banerjee announced the formation of an enquiry committee to investigate and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Messi's India tour also includes several engagements across major cities, where he is set to participate in concerts, youth football clinics, and launch charitable initiatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)