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Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour’ of India Erupts in Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

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The first day of Lionel Messi’s tour of India ended in controversy after angry fans vandalised the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Fresh from leading Inter Miami to a historic MLS Cup triumph, the World Cup winner arrived in India for a three-day “GOAT Tour.”

Accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was due to unveil a statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon. The statue, built over 27 days by a 45-strong team, stands at an imposing 70 feet. However, after just one day – and with further stops planned in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi – unrest has emerged over the organisation of the tour. Watch the ugly scenes below:

The event had been billed as a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Messi’s Asian fanbase to see the former Barcelona star in person, but proceedings descended into chaos. Fans reportedly threw objects, ripped up seats, invaded the pitch and damaged the stage after Messi made only a brief appearance, largely shielded from view by a heavy security presence.

Lionel Messi’s India Tour Kicks Off in Chaos

Lionel Messi celebrates a goal Sam Navarro | Imagn Images

Messi is in India as ‌part of a tour during which he is scheduled to ‌attend concerts, youth football clinics, a Padel tournament and launch charitable initiatives at events across the country.

But the 38-year-old’s appearance lasted just 20 minutes, according to Indian media, and the outrage among supporters that wanted to see their idol in person was that it seemed only high-profile figures in the country were granted the personal interaction with Messi that ticketed supporters were promised. As one attendee said on TV (watch below):

“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then? We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees (£100), but we were not even able to see his face.”

Elsewhere, another attendee said, as per Reddit: “Everyone was excited today as Messi was coming. It’s my wedding day, but I left all the ceremonies to be here. Still, the management was so pathetic that I couldn’t even see him.”

Chief Minister Issues Apology to Messi

MixCollage-13-Dec-2025-09-28-AM-4396

The chief minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, apologised to Messi and ordered a probe into the incident. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee, who was on her way to the event when chaos broke out, posted on X.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said. “I am constituting an enquiry committee… the committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

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Arsenal Ready to Sign Morten Hjulmand After Morgan Rogers

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Arsenal are active in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer, with an update emerging from A Bola on his future.

It has been a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal, with it being clear that they only need to add a couple of players of real quality to improve a top team who are already Premier League champions and were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League.

While the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United have already made signings 10 days after the window officially opened, the Gunners are yet to complete their first new signing.

Piero Hincapie has completed his move to the Emirates on a permanent deal, but he was with the club already last season.

Arsenal have been in talks to sign 16-year-old Leicester City sensation Jeremy Monga, but they are yet to agree a fee with the League One outfit for the teenager’s services.

The Gunners are also expected to make an official move soon for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is currently representing England at the 2026 World Cup.

As well as the wings, it seems as though Arsenal are considering signing another central midfielder too.

Arsenal ‘Active’ in Morten Hjulmand Pursuit

Morten Hjulmand in action for Sporting via Reuters

According to A Bola, the pathway for Hjulmand to make a move to the Premier League season is ‘active’, with his chances of returning to Serie A narrowing because of the price involved for a transfer.

There had been links with a move to AC Milan for the Denmark international following the appointment of his former boss Ruben Amorim at the San Siro, but the Serie A giants are currently prioritising other positions.

Juventus have also pulled out of the race, leaving Inter Milan and Napoli as the only clubs who would be able to afford the 27-year-old, who has an €80m (£70m) release clause.

However, Arsenal are considering a move for the ‘absolute monster’ midfielder, while Manchester City and their sporting director Hugo Viana, who used to be at the Portuguese outfit, are big fans of the player.

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Hjulmand Wants to Join Arsenal

Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP playing against Bayern Munich via Reuters

A Bola state that Hjulmand would fulfill a ‘childhood dream’ by playing for Arsenal, and it would be no surprise if they are his number one pick given where the club is right now too.

Not only would the 27-year-old significantly strengthen Arsenal’s central midfield depth given his stature and quality, but he is also known for his leadership skills as he currently captains Sporting.

Arteta is renowned for wanting the right type of character when he is making signings, and the Dane is a player who would seemingly give everything in an Arsenal shirt.

The Gunners may be able to land Hjulmand for a fee lower than his release clause too, with Sporting said to be ready to sell him for a fee of between €40-50m thanks to a personal pact made between the parties last summer.

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Man City Make Enquiry for Manu Kone After Arsenal Agreement

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Manchester City have now made contact to sign a player who’s already agreed to join Arsenal this summer.

While their Premier League rivals have sprung into action, it has been a quieter start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal and City.

City are still yet to confirm Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor at the Etihad, but they have been hard at work behind the scenes trying to complete a mega agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Arsenal probably only need to make some tweaks to their squad after such a successful season, but Mikel Arteta will be looking to add players to his squad that can take them to yet another level next term as they look to defend their Premier League title and go one better in the Champions League.

The Gunners look set to add numbers to their attack this summer, with the north Londoners being linked with moves for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez in recent weeks.

Arsenal are also working to find an agreement with Leicester City to sign 16-year-old sensation Jeremy Monga, but it is unclear whether he would be competing in the first-team yet or not if a deal went through.

The Gunners have also been looking at midfield additions for Arteta.

Man City Make Manu Kone Enquiry

Manu Kone Roma via Reuters

According to journalist Damiano Er Faina, posting on X on Thursday evening, Manchester City have now made over signing French midfielder Manu Kone from AS Roma.

Even though are now closing in on an agreement to sign England star Anderson, it is being widely reported that they want another central midfielder too, with Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United another name mentioned.

Arsenal themselves are looking to reinforce that position with a lack of quality in depth shown last season when they lost players to injury, with Kone emerging as a target.

Reports from Italy earlier this month suggested that the Gunners were closing in on a deal to sign the 25-year-old with personal terms already agreed for him to move to the Emirates.

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Which Other Midfielders Are Arsenal Targeting?

England's Alex Scott smiles in a press conference
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
via Reuters

Kone isn’t the only name reportedly on Arsenal’s central midfield radar this summer, with Alex Scott of Bournemouth someone they like a lot.

GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed the Gunners’ interest in the £80m-rated England international, who the Cherries are desperate to tie down to a new contract with his current deal set to expire in 2028.

Reports in Portugal claim that they are also considering making a move for Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand, whose boyhood dream was to play for Arsenal.

Whether the Gunners firm up their reported interest in Kone or not, Arteta and Andrea Berta certainly seem to have other names on their shortlist should Man City swoop in and bring him to the Premier League themselves.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold Could Have Played For the USMNT Instead of England

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has long been one of England’s most talented full-backs, but his international career hasn’t always run smoothly under successive Three Lions managers, resulting in his lack of presence at the 2026 World Cup

That awkward relationship with his national side has led some fans down an unusual rabbit hole: could he have actually represented a different country altogether?

The question resurfaced after the Real Madrid man opened up about his family background in an interview, revealing a transatlantic connection that surprised plenty of supporters.

How Trent Alexander-Arnold Was Eligible for Another Nation

Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrate for England
Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrate for England

The discussion stems from comments back when he was a Liverpool player in 2023. Speaking to Men in Blazers about his mother, who was born in the United States. He explained his fondness for the country, saying:

“The connection is just that my Mum’s American really! I love America, I absolutely love America.”

That maternal link meant Alexander-Arnold was technically eligible to play for the US under FIFA’s nationality rules, which allow players to represent a country through a parent or grandparent’s birthplace, provided they haven’t already been capped elsewhere in a competitive fixture.

Had he picked the USMNT, Trent could be playing a pivotal role in Mauricio Pochettino’s side, rather than watching the competition from home. He’d certainly be a popular figure and the talisman in the American squad.

Why Trent Can’t Switch Allegiance Now

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane for England

Despite that eligibility, the door is firmly shut. Alexander-Arnold has appeared for England in numerous competitive fixtures, which permanently ties him to the Three Lions under FIFA’s switching regulations. Had his only appearances come in friendlies, a U-turn would theoretically have remained possible, but that ship sailed long ago.


24 Players Born in England But Represent Other 2026 World Cup TeamsMixCollage-03-Jun-2026-11-31-AM-132


The 24 Players Born in England But Represent Other 2026 World Cup National Teams

England would have an unstoppable starting line-up if these players had chosen to represent the Three Lions

There’s an intriguing family thread running through all this, too. Alexander-Arnold’s mother, Dianne, was born in the United States to his grandmother, Doreen Carling, who was once in a relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson before relocating to New York and marrying there.

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