What was envisioned as a historic musical homage to football icon Lionel Messi in Kolkata spiraled into a terrifying ordeal for London-based Indian vocalist Charles Antony. The artist, who flew into India specifically for the event, found himself fleeing for his life amidst a complete breakdown of crowd management at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13.
A Dream Performance Turns Into a Nightmare
Charles Antony, a Malayali singer proficient in 18 languages including Bengali, had composed a special Spanish song to welcome Lionel Messi. Personally invited by event organizer Satadru Dutta—who has since been arrested—Antony traveled from London and was slated to perform at the Messi events in Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi. He was staying at the Hyatt Hotel in Kolkata in anticipation of the celebration.
The singer revealed there was significant confusion regarding the reporting time, with instructions to reach the venue at both 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on December 13 for a sound check. He had also missed the chance to visit the stadium a day prior, adding to the disorganization.
Chaos Erupts at Packed Salt Lake Stadium
Positioned on the running tracks near the gallery, Antony was awaiting Messi's lap around the ground when the situation deteriorated rapidly. He witnessed Messi, along with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and Argentine compatriot Rodrigo De Paul, being swarmed by a large number of people.
The atmosphere turned dangerous as objects began flying from the galleries. Antony saw water bottles, food packets, stones, and even metal objects being hurled. Equipment was at risk of damage, and widespread panic ensued. "I ran to save my life," Antony told PTI, describing how the event descended into mobocracy.
Reflecting on Messi's demeanor, Antony noted, "I had barely seen him. He was smiling, but it was very clear he was uncomfortable." Fortunately, the singer escaped physical harm and his equipment remained undamaged.
Stark Contrast to Past Football Legend Visit
The frightening episode stood in sharp contrast to Antony's previous experience performing for another football great in the city. He had sung in the presence of the late Diego Maradona during his 2016 visit to Kolkata.
Antony described that event as joyous and impeccably managed. "When Maradona came to Kolkata in 2016, I was inside the inner circle. Nothing went wrong then. This time, I was outside the core circle," he stated, highlighting the drastic difference in organization and safety.
The incident at the Salt Lake Stadium has raised serious questions about event management and security protocols for high-profile international visits in India, leaving a planned musical tribute unsung and an artist deeply shaken.
