Messi Event Chaos: Organizer Reveals Football Star's Discomfort and Investigation Details

The investigation into the chaotic Lionel Messi event in Kolkata reveals startling claims from organizer Satadru Dutta about the football star's discomfort with crowd interactions. Dutta's statements during questioning shed light on the circumstances leading to Messi's early departure and the subsequent crowd control failures. As the West Bengal government probes the incident, financial details emerge, including the substantial fees paid to Messi and the funds found in Dutta's accounts. This article delves into the unfolding drama surrounding the event and the implications for those involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 21, 2025, 02:14 IST

Organizer's Claims on Messi's Discomfort

Satadru Dutta, the main organizer arrested in connection with the Lionel Messi event held on December 13, has informed investigators that the football superstar felt "uncomfortable with physical contact" during his time at Salt Lake Stadium. According to a source from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Messi departed earlier than planned due to this discomfort.

During extensive questioning, Dutta stated that Messi expressed his dislike for being touched or hugged, a concern that had been communicated beforehand by the foreign security team assigned to protect him.

Despite multiple announcements urging the crowd to maintain distance, the situation escalated, leading to Messi being surrounded in a manner he found unacceptable, Dutta reported during his interrogation.

Political Fallout and Investigation Progress

West Bengal's Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was seen closely interacting with Messi, even posing for photos while holding him around the waist. He has faced allegations of leveraging his position to grant access to family and friends, prompting his resignation as Sports Minister while the investigation is ongoing.

Authorities are also looking into how such a large crowd was allowed into the venue. Dutta mentioned that initially, only 150 ground passes were issued, but this number was increased significantly after a "very influential person" arrived, disrupting the planned flow of the event.

The police are currently assessing whether this increase in access contributed to the crowd control issues that ensued.

Financial Insights and Ongoing Investigations

Dutta revealed financial details regarding Messi's visit to India, stating that the footballer received ₹89 crore for his appearance, with an additional ₹11 crore paid in taxes to the Indian government, bringing the total expenditure to ₹100 crore. Of this, 30% was funded by sponsors, and another 30% came from ticket sales.

Furthermore, over ₹20 crore was discovered in Dutta's frozen bank accounts during the SIT's investigation. Following a raid on his residence, several documents were seized.

Dutta claimed that the funds in his account were generated from ticket sales for the Messi events in Kolkata and Hyderabad, as well as sponsorships, which investigators are currently verifying.

The event, which attracted thousands of fans who paid premium prices for tickets, turned chaotic as the crowd surged around Messi, obscuring him from view and leading to frustration among attendees, some of whom vandalized parts of the stadium.

In response to the incident, the West Bengal Government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of senior IPS officers to probe the vandalism, security failures, and the roles of various organizers and officials involved.