Kolkata, Dec 13: Scenes of disorder unfolded at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday as fans who had paid premium prices to watch Argentine football legend Lionel Messi expressed their anger after failing to get a clear view of him.

Messi arrived at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan at around 11.30 am, accompanied by longtime teammate Luis Suárez and fellow Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul. He was the first player to step onto the field, briefly walking around and acknowledging the crowd with a wave.

However, the football icon remained encircled by VIPs, organisers and security personnel during his appearance, leaving spectators in the stands unable to see him properly. Fans complained that despite waiting since early morning, they could not catch a clear glimpse of Messi, either directly or on the stadium’s giant screens.

As frustration grew, chants of “We want Messi” rang out across the galleries. Tensions escalated further when Messi was escorted out of the stadium within minutes, even before several invited dignitaries had arrived.

Angry supporters allegedly threw bottles onto the field and vandalised banners, hoardings and plastic chairs in the stands. Eyewitnesses said that some spectators attempted to break open gallery barricades and storm the pitch, forcing police to struggle to contain the situation.

Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the mismanagement at the event. Announcing the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the matter, she said she had been on her way to the Salt Lake Stadium along with thousands of fans hoping to see the football icon.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” Banerjee said in a post on X.