Nearly six months after Lionel Messi’s tumultuous appearance in Kolkata, organizer Satadru Dutta expressed regret for bringing the football star to the city. Dutta, driven by emotion and football culture, acknowledged the fallout from the event, which included controversy, security concerns, and his subsequent arrest.
Reflecting on the challenges involved, Dutta revealed that his emotional connection to Kolkata motivated him to host Messi despite the logistical and financial hurdles. He admitted, “I do regret bringing Messi to Calcutta,” emphasizing his desire for fans to witness Messi’s presence and celebrate football in the city.
Dutta highlighted the extensive effort it took to persuade Messi for his first private tour, spanning three years of negotiations. The event, anticipated as a major football spectacle, concluded amidst crowd unrest and accusations of organizational shortcomings, leading to Dutta’s detention during investigations.
Despite the turmoil, Dutta asserted that ordinary football enthusiasts were not to blame for the event’s disruptions. He expressed a willingness to proceed with such initiatives if assured of adequate security measures, emphasizing the innocence of the fans involved.
