By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 13: The much-anticipated appearance of football star Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday turned sour for many fans, including several who traveled from Meghalaya, amid widespread chaos and disappointment.
Fans traveled long distances and saved money specifically for the event. A young fan from Meghalaya, who attended with friends and family, noted the struggle: “We are excited to see him… we have saved money to come to Kolkata as we cannot afford visiting foreign countries to watch Messi.”
Disappointment peaked after fans, who had paid large sums for tickets, reported they could not see the star because local politicians and their families monopolised access to Messi. The unrest escalated into chaos as angry attendees ripped up seats and threw objects onto the pitch following his appearance.
In stark contrast, the Hyderabad leg of the tour, held the same day at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, was hailed as a smooth success. The exhibition match between Singareni RR and the Aparna-Messi All Stars turned into a joyful celebration fueled by fan enthusiasm.
