Messi landed in Kolkata at 01:30 native time. Hundreds lined the roads and congregated outdoors his resort to catch a glimpse of him.
The day started with the meet-and-greet ticket holders first up from 09:00 to 10:30.
Then the day took a wierd twist.
A 70ft statue of Messi lifting the World Cup was unveiled by the previous Barcelona icon.
However he was not current – it was a digital unveiling. He was on a video display screen and pressed a button on a distant management. At this level a blue sheet dropped to disclose the large iron construction.
Messi met with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan earlier than heading to Salt Lake Stadium for 11:30.
The plan was for him to be on the floor for an hour. He was gone after solely 20 minutes and violence erupted as a result of ticket holders didn’t get to see Messi among the many throng of safety, politicians and celebrities.
“Solely leaders and actors had been surrounding Messi. Why did they name us then? We now have bought a ticket for 12,000 rupees, however we weren’t even capable of see his face,” a fan on the stadium advised Indian information company ANI.
One offended supporter advised the Press Belief of India information company that folks had paid the equal of a month’s wage to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I paid 5,000 rupees for the ticket and got here with my son to observe Messi, not politicians,” they mentioned.
“The police and navy personnel had been taking selfies, and the administration is accountable.”
There was imagined to be a pleasant match, extra of kickabout, with some native gamers however this didn’t occur.
Messi was whisked off to Hyderabad.
