Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has expressed strong disappointment over the chaos that unfolded during Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance in Kolkata, calling the incident unfortunate and damaging to India’s global image as a sporting destination.
Speaking to reporters at Raipur airport after attending the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympic 2025 in Jagdalpur, Bhutia said that while Messi’s visit was a positive initiative, poor organisation ruined what should have been a historic moment for Indian football fans
Sincere admirers were left out.
In response to the Salt Lake Stadium incident, Bhutia disclosed that about 80,000 spectators had flocked to see the legendary Argentine. But many sincere fans were let down.
“Messi is adored by all, but true admirers were unable to witness him. That is really regrettable,” Bhutia remarked, noting that better preparation could have prevented the circumstance.
Bhutia claims that the unwelcome, self-proclaimed VIPs surrounding Messi caused needless chaos and left fans, some of whom had traveled from distant places like Bengal and the Northeast, feeling duped.
He said, “It becomes very upsetting when people pay money and travel great distances to see someone they worship and are denied that opportunity.”
A Blow to India’s Sporting Reputation
The former skipper stressed that such incidents do more than disappoint fans — they hurt India’s reputation on the global stage.
“It also spoils the country’s name,” Bhutia remarked, urging organisers to treat such high-profile events with greater professionalism in the future.
He hoped the episode would serve as a lesson, ensuring that fans — not influential gatecrashers — remain at the heart of sporting events.
State of Indian Football: A Reality Check
When asked about the overall football ecosystem in the country, Bhutia admitted that Indian football is currently struggling, but remained hopeful about a turnaround.
“It is not in great shape at present, but hopefully things will get sorted in the future,” he said.
Praise for Bastar Olympic 2025
Despite his criticism, Bhutia struck a positive note while speaking about the Bastar Olympic 2025, calling it a meaningful step towards engaging youth through sports, especially in Naxal-affected regions.
“Sports is the best medium to connect with the younger generation,” he said, expressing hope that Chhattisgarh — particularly Bastar — would produce talented athletes in the coming years.
Highlighting his own tribal roots, Bhutia added that tribal communities possess natural sporting talent, pointing to the Northeast where a majority of medal winners come from tribal backgrounds.
Why This Matters
Messi’s Kolkata visit was meant to be a celebration of football’s growing popularity in India. Instead, it became a reminder that poor crowd management and VIP culture can overshadow even the biggest sporting moments.
Bhutia’s candid remarks underline the urgent need for better planning, fan-first policies, and accountability if India aims to host world-class sporting events in the future.