Why did Lionel Messi leave Kolkata early? Here’s what actually happened

Messi’s India visit ended in chaos

Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated Kolkata appearance was cut short after crowd scenes spiralled out of control at Salt Lake Stadium

What Went Wrong

Fans flooded restricted areas, surrounded Messi, and ignored repeated announcements to maintain distance

Security Warnings Ignored

Messi’s foreign security team had clearly warned that he dislikes being touched or hugged , but those warnings were ignored

VIP Access & Protocol Failure

Ground passes reportedly increased suddenly after an influential figure intervened, completely disrupting security planning

The Financial Side

Investigators revealed Messi was paid ₹89 crore, with total event costs touching ₹100 crore, now under SIT probe

Aftermath & Investigation

Bank accounts were frozen, documents seized, and organisers arrested as authorities investigate security lapses and finances