US EditionFrom Crowd Chaos to Controlled Calm: Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour Day 1 Delivers Wild Scenes in Kolkata Before Smooth Turn in Hyderabad
Messi's first day in India saw pitch invasions and object throwing in Kolkata, but Hyderabad events featured penalty shootouts and football clinics with political leaders and teammates.
- On Saturday, the GOAT Tour split between a calm Uppal Stadium event in Hyderabad and chaotic scenes earlier at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
- During the morning leg at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, Messi's security team whisked him out after just over 20 minutes as thousands invaded the pitch and paid ticket-holders jeered; a VIP seat was briefly set ablaze.
- On the field in Hyderabad, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul spent over an hour playing kickabouts, kicked footballs into the stands, staged a GOAT Cup penalty shootout, and ran clinics for 17 kids.
- Organisers faced immediate consequences when tour organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested from the Kolkata airport following the morning disturbances, while fans, organisers and stakeholders in Hyderabad braced nervously for ripple effects.
- Messi arrived in Hyderabad around 5:40pm and was received at the Taj Falaknuma Palace by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who joined the football events and interacted with Rahul Gandhi.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Hyderabad has a ball as Messi magic enthrals one and all
The disruption in Kolkata does not affect the proceedings in the City of Nizams; the Argentine superstar, Suarez and De Paul have a kickabout with 17 kids; the GOAT Cup trophy ceremony concludes the evening of celebration
From crowd chaos to controlled calm: Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour Day 1 delivers wild scenes in Kolkata before smooth turn in Hyderabad
Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour of India got off to a dramatic start on Day 1, with crowd chaos erupting in Kolkata before a well-managed, smooth event unfolded in Hyderabad. Here's a look at how the tour swung from disorder to calm across two cities.
Lionel Messi GOAT India tour: From chaos in Kolkata to Hyderabad's hospitality, here's how day 1 fared
Day 1 of the ongoing Lionel Messi GOAT India tour had everything for the fans. The 38-year-old Argentine forward kicked off with the star forward landing in Kolkata. He arrived in Kolkata at midnight and kicked off his tour the morning after. Fans were filled to the brim at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata as Messi arrived at the venue. Where an event was supposed to last hours, Messi had to leave the premises early due to the chaos that ensued…
Smiles, photos, and football: Hyderabad sets things right for Lionel Messi after Kolkata mess; GOAT India Tour back on track
Football News: Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour proceeded smoothly in Hyderabad after a chaotic start in Kolkata. The Argentine star participated in a penalty shootout
Messi magic lights up Hyderabad, fans mesmerised
Hyderabad: It was a memorable Saturday night for football fans in Hyderabad as Argentine legend Lionel Messi dazzled the city during his visit as part of the G.O.A.T. Tour of India. The City of Nizams showed how to pull off an event of this magnitude after Messi’s visit to the City of Joy descended into chaos due to poor crowd management and security lapses earlier on Saturday. The legend arrived in the city around 5:40 pm and was received at th…
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