Who is Satadru Dutta? All about the organiser behind Lionel Messi’s GOAT India tour 2025 and his arrest

What was planned to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for Indian football fans turned into chaos on Friday as Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated show at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium ended in mayhem and disappointment. Messi’s lap of honor was abruptly halted due to serious crowd management issues arising at the stadium. A security breach forced authorities to strengthen the protective barrier around the World Cup champion, leaving him surrounded by a dense containment wall and a large perimeter. Although this measure was designed to ensure safety, it also meant that thousands of fans in the stands could barely see the football icon they had been eagerly awaiting for hours.

This disappointment quickly boiled over. Boos to the officials and politicians present at the event echoed throughout the stadium. While water bottles were thrown onto the pitch, live footage showed Messi leaving his lap halfway through as the situation became increasingly unmanageable. Emotions ran high in the stands, clearly upset with the conduct of the event, with some fans vandalizing banners and damaging seats.

The football legend returned to India after 14 years for the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ and it was Satadru Dutta who facilitated this landmark visit. He was detained by the police for questioning, ADG Law & Order, Jawed Shamim confirmed.

#WRISTWATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Angry fans hurled bottles and chairs from the stands at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium

Star football player Lionel Messi left the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

More details were awaited. pic.twitter.com/mcxi6YROyr

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

Who is Satadru Dutta?

Hailing from Rishra in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, Satadru Dutta is a prominent name in the field of sports promotion, event organization and philanthropy. He initially started a career in finance and investment but later chose to pursue his true passion for sports. Throughout his career, Dutta was instrumental in bringing famous football legends such as Pele, Diego Maradona and Cafu to India, effectively connecting Indian fans with these international icons.

Dutta’s organization deals with sports marketing, celebrity management and various social initiatives. The motivation behind inviting Lionel Messi to India was to pay tribute to one of the greatest careers in football and offer a unique opportunity for Indian fans to witness the genius of the Argentinian superstar in person. Although the intentions were noble and ambitious, the results at Salt Lake Stadium raised serious concerns about crowd control and the management of events of this size.

Pending investigations and evaluations, one thing remains clear: what was supposed to be a day of celebration will be remembered for the turmoil surrounding one of football’s most famous names.

Also read| Lionel Messi’s magic beyond football: Kolkata fan reveals how he helped Argentina overcome darkness