Lionel Messi graffiti unveiled in Mumbai ahead of football icon’s visit on Sunday

MUMBAI: Graffiti of Argentina football icon Lionel Messi was unveiled on a building ahead of the legend’s visit to Mumbai as a part of his ‘GOAT India Tour’ 2025.

The football legend, after the visits to Kolkata and Hyderabad, is set to come to Mumbai on Sunday. Delhi will be the last stop of Messi’s tour on Monday.

In September, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Messi’s visit to India for the first time since 2011.

During his last visit, he played a friendly match with his Argentina team against Venezuela in Kolkata.

During his time in India, under-14 young football players from across the state will be selected by the Maharashtra Sports Department, and they will get the opportunity to practise with Messi on December 14.

Notably, Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour descended into chaos on Saturday after fans expressed disappointment when the Argentine legend left the event at Salt Lake Stadium much earlier than planned, leaving the crowd angry. The crowd also expressed its anger on VIPs and politicians, including the West Bengal sports minister Arup Biswas, for hogging Messi’s attention and time and not letting them catch a glimpse of the football legend.

Many fans who paid a hefty amount to watch a glimpse of the football icon Messi became angry and began throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands. The angry mob also entered the ground and tried to vandalise the tent and the goal post.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the “planning or execution” of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

“The All India Football Federation is deeply concerned by the events that transpired at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where thousands of fans gathered to witness world football stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul.” AIFF shared an Instagram post.

“This was a private event organised by a PR agency. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning, or execution of this event in any capacity. Furthermore, the details of the event were neither communicated to the AIFF, nor was any clearance sought from the Federation.” the post read.

“We urge all attendees to extend their full cooperation with the relevant authorities and to maintain order. The safety and security of all individuals involved must remain the paramount priority.” the post read.

In October, Satadru Dutta, who is the main architect behind Messi’s visit clarified that his visit was organised independently, and clarified that there is no involvement of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).”No, this is a private event,” he clarified.

“AIFF is a big organisation. Let AIFF run like AIFF. I am tying up in my private capacity. They have their own programs, and AIFF is a federation. If they ask me for anything then I will try to help them. AIFF have not asked anything from me. I also did not say anything to AIFF. Every federation has a policy. They will not be able to go beyond that policy,” he noted.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said that the organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour event has been arrested after the chaos.

While speaking , Governor Ananda Bose said the event organiser was arrested. “The organiser has been arrested, and an investigation has been done…”

Following the chaotic incident at Salt Lake Stadium, Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Jawed Shamim said the situation is under control. He added that an FIR has been lodged and the chief organiser has been arrested, and promised that organisers will refund money to fans.

“There is normalcy now. The second part is the investigation; the FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested… I’m telling you, they (organisers) are promising that they will return (ticket fee to fans). We will see how it can be done,” Jawed Shamim told reporters.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also apologised to fans after Messi’s Kolkata event turned into chaos.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” Mamta Banerjee wrote on X.”

I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers,” West Bengal CM added. (ANI)