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Lionel Messi’s Delhi event draws backlash as fans paying Rs 6,000 find filthy seats at Arun Jaitley Stadium: ‘Apni risk par aayein’

Several fans complained about the condition of the seating, videos of which quickly began circulating on social media.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 16, 2025 11:36 AM IST

Lionel Messi’s Delhi event fans paying Rs 6,000 find bird poop seats at Arun Jaitley Stadium

The backlash grew online, given Arun Jaitley Stadium’s iconic status and its upcoming role as a T20 World Cup 2026 venue

The Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour concluded in Delhi after a whirlwind four-city run that drew massive crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the World Cup winner. Alongside Messi, teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul wrapped up the tour after stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, with fan turnout remaining strong throughout.

While the tour ended on a celebratory note on paper, the Delhi leg at the Arun Jaitley Stadium left many attendees frustrated. Several fans complained about the condition of the seating, videos of which quickly began circulating on social media.

Clips showed seats smeared with bird droppings and layered with dust, making them uncomfortable, and in some cases impossible, to use. What angered fans further was that tickets for this section reportedly cost around INR 6,000, a steep price for an experience they felt fell short of basic standards.

The situation sparked widespread criticism online, especially considering Arun Jaitley Stadium’s stature as one of India’s premier sporting venues and its role as a future host for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Many questioned how such lapses could occur at a stadium of this scale.

Watch the video:

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As the video went viral, netizens reacted sharply. One user joked, “It’s just a lil bit Messy yaar!” while another remarked, “I heard we are hosting commonwealth games na?” Others took a more serious tone, with comments like, “If only India respected Football like they do to cricket. this would never had happened,” and “The organisers and the stadium management have to be questioned.”

A fifth user quipped, “Apni Risk Par Aayein.”

Despite the seating controversy, the atmosphere inside the stadium shifted once Messi, Suarez and De Paul appeared. Loud chants of “Messi, Messi” echoed through the stands, with the Argentine star acknowledging fans by waving back.

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The trio also tossed footballs into the crowd, interacted with children during a dribbling session, and spent time engaging with young players from the Minerva Academy, moments that delighted those in attendance.

The event ended on a ceremonial high as ICC chairperson Jay Shah honoured Messi, Suarez and De Paul with custom India jerseys, a signed cricket bat, and an invitation to attend the India vs USA group-stage match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.