Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Ben Steiner & Roberto Casillas

Lionel Messi’s Tour of India Starts With Riots and Violent Protests

Lionel Messi kicked-off his GOAT Tour in Kolkata, India on Friday, but a day that was meant for celebration ended in complete chaos as thousands of fans in attendance invaded the pitch and trashed the Salt Lake Stadium—venting their frustration at the event’s poor planning.

The unveiling of a 70-foot tall statue was supposed to be the highlight of the start of the tour. Messi entered the stadium alongside Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez and was tightly surrounded by security personnel, making it hard for fans in attendance to catch a glimpse of their hero.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.