What's happening to Messi?

Messi's tour in India turned into a disaster.

In less than a year, two events in Asia, from Hong Kong to India, exposed a thought-provoking paradox. The further away from the top level of football, the more easily Messi's image is eroded by inflated expectations and sloppy organization.

In Kolkata, the first stop of the "GOAT Tour" in India, the festive atmosphere quickly turned into chaos. Tickets were sold at exorbitant prices compared to average incomes, the media hyped the event extensively, and fans believed they would see Messi in person, even anticipating a truly memorable football moment.

The reality was harsh. Messi appeared for less than 20 minutes, surrounded by officials, VIPs, and security, only managing a brief wave before leaving. No match, no interaction, not a single moment on the pitch. Angry crowds stormed the field, vandalizing equipment, and the event was outright called a scam. Police intervened, organizers were arrested, and promises of refunds echoed amidst shattered fan trust.

That story is nothing new. In February 2024 in Hong Kong (China), Inter Miami arrived for a friendly match against the local team amidst unprecedented frenzy, with 40,000 tickets selling out just to see Messi. But then Leo sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes. He didn't wear his football boots, and didn't even warm up.

The crowd clamored for refunds, and images of a fan kicking a billboard featuring Messi went viral. This time, the anger wasn't directed solely at the organizers but also straight at the Argentinian superstar.

Messi once caused outrage in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong authorities publicly expressed their disappointment, threatening to withdraw millions of dollars in sponsorship due to a contract clause requiring Messi to play a minimum of 45 minutes. Inter Miami's coaching staff explained that Leo hadn't fully recovered from his injury, but their handling of the situation – late notification, refusal of post-match interaction – rendered their justifications unconvincing. As a result, the "GOAT" image was tarnished in the eyes of fans who had previously shown him almost absolute devotion.

Two events, two countries, but a common denominator: expectations were raised too high and reality failed to meet them. To be fair, Messi wasn't the one selling tickets, nor was he the one deciding the event's script. In Hong Kong, injury was a real reason. And in Kolkata, the program wasn't originally meant to be a match. But when Messi's name is placed at the center of every promotional campaign, he inevitably becomes the "scapegoat" for any behind-the-scenes mistakes.

The problem lies in the fine line between a sporting icon and a commercial product. Every time Messi steps onto the pitch, his appearance is accompanied by implicit promises that he will play, interact with fans, and deliver pure football emotion. If these promises are not fulfilled, or worse, exploited for ticket sales, fan outrage is inevitable.

At 38, Messi no longer has the physical fitness to handle a packed tour schedule. But what fans need, perhaps, is not just 90 minutes of play, but transparency and respect. A timely explanation, a well-timed act of appeasement, is sometimes more valuable than a beautiful play.

The two setbacks in Hong Kong and India show that Messi's aura still shines brightly, but if he continues to be placed on poorly staged stages, that image will face even more outrage. And then, the ones who suffer will not only be the fans, but also the legacy of a legend.

Chaos ensued as Messi appeared in India. Indian fans became enraged and vandalized property when Lionel Messi made a brief appearance during the welcoming ceremony at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

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