Football icon Lionel Messi was met with overwhelming enthusiasm during his visit to eastern India on Saturday, as thousands of fans packed a stadium in Kolkata to welcome the World Cup-winning Argentine star.

Scenes later turned chaotic, however, after Messi departed the venue earlier than expected amid apparent organisational failures.

Messi, 38, arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal as part of a three-day promotional tour, drawing jubilant crowds chanting his name from the moment he landed. Supporters wearing Argentina jerseys and waving national flags filled Salt Lake Stadium, reflecting the global appeal of the Inter Miami forward and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Despite the excitement, heavy security arrangements and crowd-control issues limited fans’ ability to see the player up close. Messi briefly walked around the pitch, waving to supporters, before leaving the stadium ahead of schedule.

Frustration among spectators quickly escalated. Some fans breached barricades, damaged stadium property and threw objects onto the track, prompting security forces to intervene. Many attendees said they had paid significant sums to attend the event.

Before his departure, Messi unveiled a 21-metre statue depicting him lifting the World Cup trophy, a moment organisers described as a tribute to his historic achievement at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He had also been expected to take part in a short exhibition appearance, which did not go ahead.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and fans, calling the incident “deeply disturbing” and announcing an official inquiry into the event’s organisation.

Messi is scheduled to continue his India tour with visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, where he may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The incident comes in a week that underlined Messi’s enduring brilliance, after he was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year, having led Inter Miami to the MLS title. He is also set to captain Argentina as they prepare to defend their World Cup crown next year.