The city of Mumbai turned up in numbers to get a glimpse of Lionel Messi at the Wankhede Stadium. The event went smoothly, and produced several memorable moments, prompting the Maharashtra CM to tweet that Mumbai has the GOAT fans.
“Thank you Mumbai, you are the real GOAT crowd,” tweeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after the successful completion of the GOAT Tour in Mumbai. On December 14, the iconic Wankhede Stadium hosted what turned out to be a near perfect event, as Lionel Messi, Sunil Chhetri, and Sachin Tendulkar came together on one stage. The evening was dedicated to celebrating one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi, in front of an adoring Indian audience.
Unlike the event in Kolkata, where the crowd lost their cool and vandalised the Salt Lake Stadium, the Mumbai crowd and organisers displayed remarkable discipline and respect. Fans showered love and admiration on Messi, allowing the event to unfold smoothly as the football legend went about his appearances and interactions at the Wankhede Stadium without any disruptions.
During the event, Messi played a few passes with children, participated in a friendly penalty shootout, and exchanged jerseys with Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The crowd remained on their feet throughout the evening, cheering loudly for every moment involving the stars. Their energy and enthusiasm helped turn the event into a memorable night for fans, and for all the right reasons.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to take a subtle dig at the Kolkata crowd and the local administration following the smooth execution of the Mumbai event. He took to social media to praise the city, stating that Mumbai had shown why it deserved to be called the best crowd of all time.
“Thank You Mumbai, you are the Real G.O.A.T crowd!” the Chief Minister wrote on Sunday.
Thank You Mumbai, you are the Real G.O.A.T crowd !
Love you all ! ❤️#MessiInMumbai #LionelMessiinindia #GOATIndiaTour2025 pic.twitter.com/YfWqOH3E66— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 14, 2025
Earlier, chaos had ensued in Kolkata when fans grew angry with the organisers. With Lionel Messi surrounded by politicians and VIPs inside the stadium, large sections of the crowd were unable to get even a glimpse of their favourite star. Frustration soon boiled over, as fans left their seats and forcefully entered the pitch by breaking gates and toppling barricades. The angry crowd also ripped off seats inside the stadium, causing significant damage.
The unrest forced Messi to cut his Kolkata appearance short and leave the city earlier than planned. Despite the unpleasant experience, he went on to attend two subsequent events, honouring his commitment to fans across the country. The events in Hyderabad and Mumbai proceeded smoothly after the Kolkata incident, with improved security and crowd management. However, following the Kolkata disaster, the chief organiser of the tour, Satadru Dutta, was arrested by the police on charges of negligence in ensuring adequate security.
Fadnavis Booed
Amid what was otherwise a largely successful and well received event, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis found himself facing an unexpected backlash from a section of fans during the closing stages of the evening. Taking the microphone, he announced Project Mahadev, a grassroots initiative aimed at promoting and developing football across the country.
However, in the backdrop of the events that had unfolded the previous day and Maharashtra’s complex and often polarised political landscape, the announcement failed to strike a positive chord with everyone present. As Fadnavis began his address and attempted to greet the audience, loud and sustained boos rang out from parts of the stands, briefly disrupting the proceedings.
