NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday trained its guns on the Trinamool Congress after chaos broke out during football icon Lionel Messi’s brief visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, sharing videos of angry spectators and calling the episode a “total embarrassment” on an international stage.BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, reacting to footage from the stadium, said in a post on X: “Scenes of chaos and complete mismanagement at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Angry fans were forced to throw bottles and chairs from the stands after being pushed to the brink by sheer mismanagement. Football icon Lionel Messi left the stadium within just 15 minutes. Thousands of fans who gathered with hope couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him. WHILE inept TMC leaders surrounded him! A global legend, a massive public turnout, and yet zero planning. A total embarrassment on an international stage. Mamata can’t even organise or manage an event!” The remarks came after unrest erupted at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where thousands of ticket-holding fans had gathered to see the Argentine superstar as part of his much-anticipated GOAT India Tour. Messi arrived at the stadium around 11.30 am along with Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, briefly walked around the pitch and waved at the crowd. However, he remained closely surrounded by VIPs, organisers and security personnel, leaving large sections of the galleries unable to see him clearly. Spectators said they had waited since early morning and were unable to catch a proper glimpse of Messi either directly or on the giant screens. As chants of “We want Messi” rang out, tempers flared when the footballer was escorted out within minutes, even before several invited dignitaries arrived. Bottles were thrown onto the field, banners and hoardings were damaged and plastic chairs were broken, with police struggling to contain the situation, according to eyewitnesses.Fans voiced their anger to reporters, with one saying, “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then… We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face.” Another supporter called it an “absolutely terrible event”, adding that Messi “came for just 10 minutes” and that “so much money, emotions, and time” had been wasted.The unrest overshadowed a visit that had generated enormous excitement across Kolkata and beyond. Earlier in the day, Messi had virtually inaugurated a 70-foot statue of himself at Lake Town, unveiled alongside West Bengal minister Sujit Bose. The Argentine legend’s return to India after 14 years had drawn fans from across the country and even neighbouring Nepal, many of whom had travelled long distances hoping for a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of the global icon.