Sports
Fans vandalise Indian stadium after Messi’s abrupt exit
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue depicting him holding aloft the World Cup.
Cover image: Security personnel try to control the crowd as Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi departs from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Thousands of fans packed into a stadium in eastern India on December 13 to cheer on Lionel Messi as the football legend unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP).
Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.
AFP reported that as part of the so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.
Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed Salt Lake Stadium in the state capital, Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left many struggling to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked around the pitch, waved to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.
Frustrated supporters, many of whom had paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.Others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue depicting him holding aloft the World Cup.
He was also expected to play a short exhibition match at the stadium.
Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.
Sports
World Cup 2026 kicks off today June 11
Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A?
• Image credit: FIFA
The FIFA World Cup 2026, kicked off today 11 June in Mexico city stadium by 20.00 local time.
Mexico and South Africa in Group A are opening the match, the team they faced at the same stage of the tournament in 2010.
The focus will then shift to Guadalajara, where Asia and Europe are represented as Korea Republic do battle with a Czechia side still on a high from their success in the UEFA play-offs.
Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A?
Details later.
Sports
Davido uses W’Cup stage to demand action for abducted Nigerian pupils
Using his platform as a global cultural ambassador, the artiste drew international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
•Photo: 5iveAliveWT/X
Afrobeats superstar Davido transformed his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert into a powerful plea for justice.
Taking the stage in the United States on Wednesday, the singer wore a custom outfit designed to honour the students and teachers recently abducted in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area.
Using his platform as a global cultural ambassador, the artiste drew international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
The Vanguard reported that a viral backstage video revealed the striking details of his attire. Davido wore a white T-shirt reading “NIGERIA” beneath a black leather jacket.
The jacket featured the message “BRING THEM HOME” boldly printed across the back and was decorated with green circular buttons on the front.
Each button bore the name of a kidnapped victim. To differentiate their faces, the names of those still in captivity were written in white, while the names of those who lost their lives were inscribed in red.
Sports
Olympic qualifier: Comoros to face Super Falcons following 30-0 victory over Sudan
They progressed 30–0 on aggregate and will now face a significantly tougher challenge against Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, in the next round.
Comoros have booked a date with African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, after a 30–0 aggregate victory over Sudan in the first round of the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Coelacanths won the first leg 17–0 on June 3 before following it up with a 13–0 triumph five days later to complete a dominant aggregate win.
In the first leg, Comoros opened the scoring after eight minutes before producing a relentless attacking display that overwhelmed Sudan throughout the encounter.
Nine different players got on the scoresheet in a performance that highlighted the depth and attacking quality of the Comorian side.
In the second leg on Monday, Comoros scored three goals in the first half and added 10 more after the break to seal a 13–0 victory.
They progressed 30–0 on aggregate and will now face a significantly tougher challenge against Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, in the next round.
The Super Falcons are expected to go into the tie as strong favourites.
Credit: PUNCH
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