In a sharp and strongly worded critique, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has turned the spotlight on Lionel Messi following the chaos that marred the Argentine superstar’s much-anticipated appearance in Kolkata. Gavaskar accused the FIFA World Cup winner of failing to honour his commitment to fans, many of whom had paid good money to see their idol in person.

Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 for an event officially billed as a two-hour fan interaction. However, the appearance ended abruptly and without explanation, leaving thousands of supporters disappointed and confused. Several fans claimed they caught only a glimpse of Messi before he left the stadium, triggering anger and unrest outside.

The aftermath was messy. Protests broke out, police intervened, and Kolkata police arrested tour organiser Satadru Dutta. While blame was initially directed at political interference, VIP crowding, and alleged security lapses, Gavaskar was unconvinced by those explanations.

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Writing in his column for Sportstar, the former India captain argued that accountability must start with Messi himself if agreed commitments were not fulfilled. “Everyone was blamed except the person who failed to honour his commitment,” Gavaskar wrote. He added that while the exact terms of Messi’s appearance were not made public, leaving significantly earlier than promised pointed towards a breach of responsibility by the football icon and his entourage.

Gavaskar also dismissed suggestions that security concerns forced an early exit. According to him, there was no credible threat that warranted cutting the appearance short. He noted that Messi could have easily engaged the crowd by walking around the ground or performing a simple on-field act, such as taking a penalty kick, which would have naturally cleared space and given fans what they came for.

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Notably, Gavaskar defended the Indian organisers, noting that Messi’s appearances in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi were conducted smoothly. “Those events went off without a hitch because commitments were met,” he wrote, urging critics to examine whether promises were honoured on both sides before pointing fingers.

The incident has sparked a broader debate about accountability, celebrity commitments, and fan expectations—especially in a country where sporting icons are revered with unmatched passion.