AH, the legendary Messi Kolkata visit — truly a masterclass on how to take a multi-million-dollar opportunity and deliver absolutely nothing in return, all thanks to the impeccable management skills of the powers that be!

Let us all stand and applaud the sheer, unparalleled brilliance of the esteemed state government and their associated organising bodies. They didn't just host an event; they orchestrated a perfectly efficient display of VIP greed and administrative incompetence that will forever be etched in the annals of sporting farce.

Fans Paid for Minister’s Selfies

For years, we’ve been told that government is here to serve the people. But during the Messi visit, the mandate was clearly reversed. The people were there to serve the Ministers, their relatives and the minions!

Eighty thousand fans, many of whom emptied their savings or took loans, were told their Rs 20,000 was buying them a glimpse of football royalty. That money was merely the cover charge for an exclusive selfie party reserved for the local nouveau riche and political climbers. Fans didn't pay to see Messi but paid for the politicians and their cronies to have their Instagram moment, completely blocking the view for the honest, paying public.

The government's true triumph was managing to turn the world's greatest footballer into a human prop in a chaotic, ill-managed photo booth — all while the paying public watched a sea of entitled backsides.

Utter Chaos, Ministers lost in their selfies

Crowd Control? Government preferred complete lack of it! The security arrangements were nothing short of a stunning commentary on the state government’s priorities. Where were the police meant to manage the crowd, and the relatives of the Chief Minister and other Ministers who obstructed the view of 80,000 Messi fans sitting in the gallery? Oh, they were busy! Busy protecting the VVIP selfie takers of course, transforming an official duty into an amateur fan encounter. Clearly, the internal memo must have read: "Contain the crowd? No, join the crowd!"

They held up about as well as the event organisers’ credibility. When the crowd inevitably turned, frustrated by being fleeced, the stadium infrastructure crumbled like the government’s promises.

It takes an administration of a certain caliber to successfully protect their VIPs from the fans, while simultaneously failing to protect the fans from their own raging disappointment.

The Refund Farce

And then comes the grand finale - the promise of a refund! We are now subjected to the spectacle of an ‘enquiry’ to determine who, among the numerous bungling officials, should take the fall. Rest assured, the public will be dragged through months of bureaucratic red tape, mountains of paperwork, and endless delays before seeing a single rupee.

The message is clear - Welcome to Bengal! You can love football, but you will pay dearly when our government decides to score an own goal with your money and your idol.

The 'Messi Mess' wasn't an event; it was a perfectly executed political statement demonstrating that when the cameras roll, self-interest and chaos will always triumph over competence and respect for the citizenry. Congratulations, West Bengal Government, you successfully alienated thousands of fans and brought international shame to an event meant to bring pride. A truly spectacular performance!

The Damaging Aftermath

The chaotic Messi visit was far more than a single morning of shattered expectations; it has cast a severe shadow over Kolkata's standing as a reliable host for major international sporting events. This spectacular failure, orchestrated by mismanagement and political overreach, presents a tangible threat to the city's future credibility on the global stage.

The Price of the Photo-Op

The extensive media coverage of the vandalism, fan fury, and the surreal sight of the Ministers and their relatives scrambling for selfies amidst the turmoil painted a grim picture. The incident was widely reported internationally, framing Kolkata not as a passionate football hub, but as a city where chaos and corruption triumph over professional event management.

High-profile international athletes and their management teams are now significantly more likely to reject or demand exorbitant guarantees for future appearances in Kolkata. No major sports personality wants their carefully curated brand diluted by a stampede of unruly Ministers. Major sports federations and governing bodies (like FIFA or international clubs) will undoubtedly reconsider Kolkata as a viable venue, fearing a repeat of the security lapses and administrative incompetence displayed.

Lost Opportunities and Financial Costs

The fallout from the 'Messi Mess' is not just reputational; it has tangible economic consequences also. The city once known as a hub of Indian football, may find it harder to attract lucrative exhibition matches, international tournaments, or global concerts, losing out on significant revenue from tourism, hospitality, and ticket sales. Any future international promoter considering Kolkata will now factor in massive overheads for additional security, insurance, and contingency planning, making the city a prohibitively expensive destination.

The need for a formal inquiry, the massive security deployment, and the public funds that will eventually be used to refund tickets and repair the stadium are all costs borne due to preventable mismanagement, draining resources that could have been used elsewhere.

The Unlearned Lesson

The legendary visit of Diego Maradona in 2008 remains an irrefutable benchmark for successful celebrity hosting, a magnificent demonstration that Kolkata is inherently capable of embracing a global icon with both professionalism and profound affection.

That event was a vibrant testament to the fact that when management is masterful and professional, and government engagement is supportive rather than intrusive, success is not merely achieved — it is assured.

Maradona’s itinerary was a beautiful tapestry woven across the city, encompassing not just the grand stage at Salt Lake Stadium but also intimate visits to the heartland, from the bustling lanes of Maheshtala to the hallowed grounds of the Mohun Bagan Club. He also visited Mother Teresa’s house and met Joyti Basu at his residence.

At every single one of these five distinct locations, throngs of dedicated, adoring fans gathered — patiently waiting for hours under the Kolkata sky to catch a precious glimpse of the 'Prince of Football.' And when he finally appeared, the air did not erupt in chaos, but in a pure, unified symphony of cheers, proving the deep passion of Bengal's football loyalists can be channelled into an ocean of disciplined, overwhelming joy. It was an unforgettable spectacle of reverence and smooth execution.

Another Glorious Event

The first ever FIFA friendly match hosted in India was held at Kolkata in 2011. Featuring a star-studded Argentina squad against Venezuela, it remains a shining testament to Bengal's capacity to flawlessly execute world-class sporting events. This spectacular fixture was not organised by government bureaucracy, but by a dedicated event management body, showcasing the power of professional execution. The Salt Lake Stadium played host to an unforgettable encounter, graced by the presence of football giants - Lionel Messi, leading the squad with electrifying skills. Ángel Di María dazzling fans with his pace and flair. Sergio Agüero, demonstrating clinical finishing power. It was more than just a match; it was a sensational evening that validated Kolkata's deep love for the ‘Worlds’s Most Beautiful game - Football’, delivering a high-quality, disciplined experience for both the players and the audience.

Crucially, the world witnessed an outstanding display of discipline and passion from the football fans of Bengal. Despite the immense excitement of hosting such legendary figures, the massive crowd maintained order, adherence to protocol, and an atmosphere of respect throughout the event.

A Pantheon of Legends

Long before the recent chaotic chapter, West Bengal played host to a magnificent procession of global football royalty, forging a legacy that remains the deep pride of its fans. Over the last four decades, Kolkata has been a reverent witness to some of the game's greatest footballers.

In 1977, the 'Football Samrat,' Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) himself, graced the hallowed grounds, setting a legendary benchmark. He was followed by the intellectual flair of the great Brazilian midfielder Sócrates, and the steely excellence of the German goal-keeping titan, Oliver Kahn. The city was further illuminated by a constellation of Samba stars: the unstoppable Brazilian striker Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima (R9) and the clinical genius of Romário de Souza Faria. The artistry continued with the visit of the elegant Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán, among many others.

To this day, the football faithful of Bengal cherish and passionately recount the moments of witnessing these celestial figures in action — whether performing an awe-inspiring dribble, striking a phenomenal goal, or merely touching the ball. These golden memories, steeped in admiration and disciplined fervour, form the true, enduring heritage of football in Bengal.

The recent failure proves that when personal promotion and political bossism, is prioritised over the safety and experience of the ticket-buying enthusiasts, the result is guaranteed disaster.

When Greed Trumps Glory

Until the architects of this fiasco — the organising bodies can present an unassailable, concrete demonstration of commitment to genuine international standards of security, crowd control, and, most critically, the absolute banishment of VVIP avarice from the sacred ground of the playing field, the long shadow of the 'Messi Mess' will remain unforgiving.

This tragic blunder shall continue to hold global sporting opportunities firmly hostage, keeping Kolkata's vibrant stadium doors sealed shut to the world's elite.

Let it be unequivocally clear, this is not the fault of the devoted, disciplined fans — the true soul of Bengal football. The blame rests entirely upon the shoulders of the greedy Ministers and the self-serving administration whose insatiable hunger for a fleeting selfie proved more destructive than any act of hooliganism. The original tone of outrage and strong criticism has been maintained while reorganizing and rephrasing the text:

Bengal's reputation has been permanently damaged by the sheer ego and opportunism of its political figures, turning this event into a shameful symbol of political greed that utterly destroyed the city's sporting prospects.

Now, as Bengal is shamed globally and condemned nationwide, there's a desperate attempt to save face: the Sports Minister is being relieved of his duties after submitting a laughably flawed resignation letter. This maneuver will not obscure the truth from the public.

By what right did the Chief Minister's and Sports Minister's families monopolize access to Messi that day? Fire Minister Sujit Bose cannot be absolved either. The core of the disaster was the attempt by these ministers and their entourage to cordon off and control Messi across the entire field during a private organization's sporting event. They are the exclusive architects of the profound and enduring disgrace now staining the reputation of the state and its cherished sporting culture.