Football legend Lionel Messi's highly anticipated GOAT tour of India descended into chaos on Saturday as angry fans threw bottles, vandalized Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium and invaded the pitch after catching only a brief glimpse of their hero.

Messi's scheduled 45-minute appearance lasted just 20 minutes, leaving thousands of ticket holders frustrated. Many fans reported they failed to see the Argentine star either in person or on stadium big screens despite waiting for hours.

Tickets were priced from TK 4 thousand 723.04 (INR 3 thousand 500 Indian rupees) upwards, exceeding half of India's average weekly income. Some fans paid up to USD 130 (TK 15 thousand 861.65) for entry.

Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police, confirmed the arrest of chief organiser Satadru Dutta. "We've already detained the main organiser. We're taking action so that this mismanagement does not go unpunished," Kumar told reporters.

Dutta has pledged in writing to refund all ticket sales. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized to Messi and disappointed fans, announcing a committee would investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures.

"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium," Banerjee wrote on social media.

Messi's three-day 'GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour' brings the World Cup winner to Hyderabad and Mumbai before concluding in New Delhi on Monday. Former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul joined him.

Earlier Saturday, Messi remotely unveiled a 21-metre statue of himself in Kolkata's Lake Town.

India's football sector faces mounting challenges. Indian Super League confronts potential collapse over disputes between the federation and commercial partners. Bengaluru FC stopped paying first-team salaries in August due to uncertainty surrounding the league's future.

Messi will defend Argentina's FIFA World Cup title at the 2026 tournament in United States, Canada and Mexico.

Source: Al Jazeera and The Times of India.