Chaos broke out on December 13, 2025, at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Fans who paid large sums to see Lionel Messi grew upset as they could not get a clear view of the football star. Messi came to the stadium around 11:30 a.m. with Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Though he waved to the crowd, security and VIPs surrounded him, blocking views. Fans shouted “We want Messi” and threw bottles, damaging chairs and banners. Police struggled to control some fans trying to enter the pitch. Messi left the stadium early, avoiding further trouble. On the same day, Messi virtually unveiled a towering 70-foot statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata. The statue shows Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy and took only 40 days to build. West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose said Messi and his team approved the statue and were pleased. This is Messi's first visit to India since 2011. His return has stirred great excitement among football fans in Kolkata and across India.