Lionel Messi India Visit Updates: Tendulkar gifts signed India jersey to Messi as Mumbai witnesses epic evening

While Messi has taken the focus, it has also shoved a significant issue with the future of Indian football aside – a point brought up by a fan earlier today, and raised time and again by detractors of the statue erected in Kolkata, with investment in domestic and grassroots football in the country always seeming to be lacking. A big debate, and one that will see a lot more firepower after the anger in Kolkata today.

Kunal Ghosh of the TMC responds by saying he understands why emotions ran high, but also says such an incident only opens the doors for opposition political parties to ‘bad-mouth Kolkata’. Lines being drawn thick and early following the situation.

Minister Sukanta Majumder takes aim at the TMC, who had plenty of visible party members on-field and involved with the Kolkata leg of Messi's tour. With mismanagement being the term bandied around here, there is no doubt big questions will be asked of the West Bengal government as well for their role in it.

For Messi and his camp, the focus will now turn to travelling to Hyderabad, which is his next venue on the tour. Pictures show Messi enroute to the Kolkata airport, but as of this moment, there is a feeling that the future of this tour hangs in the balance.

The RAF had arrived to try and control the stadium with mass vandalisation taking place. Awaiting more news from live images.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was intended to meet Messi as well, but that is not something that transpired. After the violence in Salt Lake, she has issued a statement, making apologies to Messi, and calling out the ‘mismanagement’ at the stadium.

She also promises the enquiry that was expected as a result of these scenes.

There will be dread for the fans who have bought tickets for the next three events in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. What happens with those?

There is real rage in the fans who have paid so much and over the odds to see Messi and not getting any real value for it.

The police on hand now to try and tamp down the rioting and vandalism taking place on a ground that is supposed to be the home of Indian football. Live pictures sees security and police trying to regain control.

Tough for the organisers to proceed from here – this is a mess that they know lands on them ultimately. What does it mean for the rest of the Messi tour?

Ugly scenes, the frustrations really boiled over in Salt Lake. The pictures only get worse and worse, and there is no doubt this is going to cause a huge inquisition. There's not much good to be expected from this, in all honesty. Nobody coming out looking good.

The frustration from the crowd is increasingly evident even as the fans exit and are interviewed by news channels outside Salt Lake Stadium. Statements being made that he was there for 10-15 minutes only, surrounded by hundreds of politicians and dignitaries which made it impossible to see him.

This is not something you like to see after all the build-up and unity you had seen in the lead up to this event. Casts a shadow over the remainder of this tour.

Messi made a quick exit from the stadium, hurried back out of the door after a half-lap around the ground. Fans weren't happy as the big entourage and circle of guards around Messi meant many couldn't catch a glimpse, it seems. Water bottles thrown around.

Just spectacular to see. The Indian cricket team naturally packs out stadiums across the country and bring so much colour, but the number of Argentina shirts all across Salt Lake here… Messi must be asking himself whether he's in Bengal or in Buenos Aires.

Messi's arrival from the perspective of the crowd. Hear that volume! This is what this little magician means to the people of not just Kolkata, but right across the world.

Here he is, then. Look at all the smiles – these are players who have performed in front of some of the biggest and most energetic crowds in the world, but this remains a spectacular tribute, and Messi cannot stop smiling.

Messi taking a moment to greet all the dignitaries in the middle of the pitch and also sign some jerseys, and waving to the crowd, and looking like he is really enjoying himself out here in Kolkata.

Rolls in in the car alongside his massive entourage, and the stadium erupts with chants and music! There are fans in tears, but for Messi it's all smiles as he soaks in this special occasion. Wow, the emotion is palpable in Salt Lake!

Almost time, it seems. The game has been paused and Messi is likely arriving very very soon at Salt Lake Stadium for this glorious occasion. Excitement growing now…

Just a quiet buzz as the All Stars match begins in Kolkata, but this is just the bubbling before the explosion arrives. Just wait for Messi to show up in one of the boxes here – there will be an absolute wall of noise from this huge and famous stadium.

20 minute halves in this game.

Over at Salt Lake Stadium, some famous faces from Indian football of the past prepare to put on a little game to set the stage for Messi. The Argentinian star is expected to arrive in time for the second half of this friendly game, in which all players are wearing jerseys bearing the branding of Messi's GOAT Tour, as well as everyone wearing the number 10 with Messi's name.

More clips from Messi's meet and greet session see him addressing the dignitaries who have come to meet him for this session in Kolkata. He speaks through an interpreter, but the look on his face is pretty universal: he says he is happy to be here in India, and there is no doubt about it given the smile that follows.

There's the crossover everyone was expecting but ready to be blown away by! Shah Rukh Khan with his family go up to Messi and company, and big smiles on all faces as pleasantries are exchanged. What a moment!

It might just be a virtual inauguration, but the tall and towering statue of Messi acts as another testament to how much love Messi has even from India, where he has never played, with a people he doesn't necessarily have too much of a connect with. But that's the beauty and the power of sports, is it not? A crowd gathering to witness the unveiling as well.