Dibyangshu Sarkar

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

The 70-foot Lionel Messi statue in Kolkata’s Lake Town has been taken down following safety concerns 🌪️

Residents had reportedly complained about the structure swaying during strong winds.

📸: AFP

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

🚨The giant 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi erected in Kolkata to mark his visit last year is “swaying in the wind” and will be removed, although it's not yet decided when it will be brought down.

Details: https://t.co/7Dw0NT09rQ

📸AFP

[DAZN Arabia @DAZN_Arabia]

غياب المنتخب لم يمنع جنون المستديرة ⚽️

شوارع الهند تتزين بألوان المونديال ومجسمات الأساطير 🇮🇳

[ANI @ANI]

Road clearance and restoration work underway in Kolkata, West Bengal: SN Pradhan, DG National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) #CycloneAmphan

[AFA India Official @AFA_IND]

🇦🇷 x Kolkata = A 𝗷𝗼𝘆ful love affair 🥰

[Nahid Romman @NahidIbnFarid]

Internet suspended, schools shut amid Mumbai protests on sexual abuse

Medical professionals and students take part in a protest rally against the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata on August 21, 2024.
https://t.co/Zt9YLQW5O4
Photo: AFP

[Trendzone Viral @trendzoneviral]

Anger erupts at Messi’s Kolkata appearance
In summary according to AFP
•Lionel Messi’s promotional appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, descended into chaos after fans felt misled about what they would see.
•Thousands paid up to about $130 per ticket, expecting a longer appearance and possibly a short exhibition match.
•Messi appeared only briefly, walking around the pitch for roughly 20 minutes, and was largely obscured by officials and celebrities before being escorted away by security.
•When it became clear his appearance had ended, parts of the crowd turned violent—ripping up seats, throwing plastic chairs and bottles, storming fences, and vandalising banners and tents.
•West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised, announced a formal enquiry, and said responsibility would be fixed on the organisers.
•A chief organiser was arrested, and authorities said they would examine refunds for ticket buyers.
•Messi’s spokesperson stated that he fulfilled the time commitment agreed in advance, placing responsibility for the event’s organisation on local organisers.
•The All India Football Federation said it had no involvement, calling it a private event.
•Fans voiced anger, saying some had spent $60–$130 per ticket, with several claiming it amounted to a month’s salary, only to see politicians and celebrities surrounding Messi.
•The incident underlined India’s deep football passion, especially in Kolkata, where fans regularly turn out in huge numbers despite cricket’s dominance

[A.K Mohsin @ak_mohsin]

Protestors from India’s Congress party burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump for what they claim to be his interference in the India-Pakistan conflict, during a protest in Kolkata on May 14, 2025.
Photos via AFP.

[zeta panama @zetacompa]

More than a million Indians flee as cyclone approaches: Kolkata (AFP) -

At least 1.1 million people on India's eastern coast are fleeing to storm shelters inland, hours before a powerful cyclone is… https://t.co/hQtauH2J6R #CycloneDana #India #Kolkata #WestBengal #Odisha

[zeta panama @zetacompa]

Kolkata (AFP) - Shubman Gill's India will look to extend their Test domination at home when a two-match series begins against world champions South Africa on Friday in Kolkata.India's recent 2-0 sweep https://t.co/pYFuigeBK6

[The Field @thefield_in]

#IPL2024 #RCBvKKR

Virat Kohli carries his bat through with a 58-ball 83 to take the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a decent total.

Andre Russell and Harshit Rana shine for Kolkata Knight Riders with two wickets apiece.

RCB: 182/6 (20)

📸: AFP
https://t.co/jBQIpqxcN5

[AFP News Agency @AFP]

Veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets to put India in sight of victory against South Africa on a manic day two of a low-scoring opening Test in Kolkata on Saturday ➡️ https://t.co/D6KmrlTN9h #INDvSA

[The Field @thefield_in]

#IPL2024 #KKRvsRR

Kolkata Knight Riders get to massive total of 223/6 in their 20 overs courtesy the heroics of first-time centurion Sunil Narine.

The man from Trinidad and Tobago scored 109 off 56 deliveries, with 13 fours and six sixes in his innings.

📷 AFP

https://t.co/VSLbfviyOZ

[SanatanVibes @SanatanVibes108]

Messi magic before the chaos ✨⚽
An AFP lens captured Lionel Messi smiling with young fans at Kolkata’s #SaltLakeStadium—moments before disappointment turned into anger after he exited early, sparking unrest among spectators.

[Arab News | Sport @ArabNewsSport]

Lionel #Messi’s highly anticipated visit to #India turned into chaos for fans of the football icon in Kolkata on Saturday, after his brief appearance at a local stadium sparked anger among thousands in attendance #MessiInIndia https://t.co/geOxdOsOlN

[Instant News ™ @InstaBharat]

🚨 #BreakingNews 🚨 @sportstarweb 📌 Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

Thousands of fans have assembled to have a glimpse of Lionel Messi. The Yuva Bharati Krirangan is the first of many stops in his three-day trip to India.

📷: AFP/Debasish Bhaduri

Grab #am…

[Instant News ™ @InstaBharat]

🚨 #BreakingNews 🚨 @sportstarweb 🔵⚪️ Messi fever hits Kolkata! 🔵⚪️

Lionel Messi landed in India in the early hours of Saturday and Kolkata is celebrating every moment of his presence in the City of Joy.

📷: PTI/AFP

Grab #amazon #deals here:
For #US…

[ΜπιΕλΑρ @blr1a1]

Kolkata, India
Workers prepare a cutout of the Argentine football legend Diego Maradona before an upcoming India tour by Argentina’s Lionel Messi Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Security amped up in Hyderabad

The chaos at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata has had a ripple effect on Lionel Messi’s next stop in India, with security significantly tightened ahead of his visit to Hyderabad.

DETAILS ▶️ https://t.co/O2iwPcqiby

📸 @AnirudhVelamuri, AFP | #GOATIndiaTour

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

🔵⚪️ Messi fever hits Kolkata! 🔵⚪️

Lionel Messi landed in India in the early hours of Saturday and Kolkata is celebrating every moment of his presence in the City of Joy.

📷: PTI/AFP