Indian security forces carried out police charges against groups of fans in Kolkata on Saturday after widespread riots broke out over the brevity of footballer Lionel Messi's visit, whose appearance at the stadium lasted just 22 minutes and was described as a "scam" by those present.

Police resorted to using batons (lathicharge) in the near the Hyatt Hotel, where the Argentine star was staying, to disperse hundreds of angry fans who gathered after the event to protest against the organizers of the “GOAT Tour”.

The outbreak of violence in the streets was the culmination of a chaotic day that began inside Salt Lake Stadium, where thousands of people who had paid up to 10,000 rupees (more than $100) for tickets had their expectations dashed when the player was hastily escorted out.

The star remained in the stadium for a total of 22 minutes and, during his brief time on the field, was immediately surrounded by a dense cordon of local politicians, officials, and police officers seeking to take pictures with him.

Fans in India began throwing chairs because they couldn't see Messi

This visual blockage prevented the crowd in the stands from seeing the player. The frustration led to the throwing of chairs and plastic bottles, and damage to stadium furniture, forcing Messi's personal security team to activate the extraction protocol and cancel any further interaction with the public. Fans denounced the situation as a commercial fraud. One supporter told local media that the event was a scam because they spent a lot of money and didn't even get to see it. Another attendee explained to the media that the management was to blame, as the police and military were busy taking photos instead of controlling the situation, leaving the fans without a show. Following the incidents at the stadium and the police charges at the hotel, the player's entourage headed to the airport to fly to the city of Hyderabad. The next leg of his tour in India, leaving behind “the city of joy” marked by controversy.