Messi's tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday with
disgruntled fans ripping up seats, throwing objects, and
invading the pitch at a stadium in Kolkata. Argentine
soccer star is scheduled to attend concerts and sports events
and launch charitable initiatives across the country, but his
appearance at Salt Lake Stadium lasted just 20 minutes,
according to Indian media. Tickets were priced from a
little under$40 more than half their average weekly income
in India. But this fan says he paid$130
. But with so many politicians crowded around Messi,
we did not even get to see his face.
Another fan described it as fraud, saying people's time
, money, and emotions had been wasted. Organizers
of the Inter Miami Forwards GAT or Greatest of All
Time tour did not immediately respond to a request for
comment. The Chief Minister of West Bengal state apologized
to Messi and ordered a probe into the incident.
West Bengal, Kerala and Goa states have long had
large soccer followings in otherwise cricket-crazed India. On Saturday
, Messi also virtually attended the unveiling of a 20
m statue of himself, saying that he was very
pleased with the support he received from the people of 00:01:26.709 --> Kolkata.