What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for fans who paid Rs 5,000 and more to watch Lionel Messi in Kolkata descended into chaos at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Salt Lake Stadium. Supporters who had waited for months to see their football idol were left frustrated when the Argentine icon’s appearance on the field was cut drastically short, with the situation spiralling amid overcrowding and confusion.

According to eyewitnesses, Messi’s planned lap of the stadium never properly materialised. As he stepped onto the field, he was immediately surrounded by politicians, officials, celebrities and their family members, along with an overwhelming paparazzi presence. The congestion around Messi became so intense that his security team was forced to abandon the lap altogether, significant

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