• Thousands paid high fees but got only a brief glimpse of the star

• Fans threw chairs and bottles onto the field during Messi's appearance

Angry fans attacked an event for Lionel Messi in India, hurling chairs and bottles onto the Salt Lake Stadium field in Kolkata after he appeared.

Thousands of supporters paid 12,000 rupees ($133) for a chance to see the star, but felt disappointed as he walked through the stadium, shielded by a large crowd of officials and celebrities.

When Messi was escorted out by security after about 20 minutes, some attendees reacted aggressively.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incidents as "shocking and upsetting."

Messi was in India on his "GOAT tour," a series of promotional events across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

The tour began with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue in Kolkata, assembled over 27 days by a team of 45 people.

For security reasons, the statue was displayed virtually, prompting thousands of fans to flock to the stadium for a chance to see Messi.

Fans chanted, bought jerseys, and wore headbands reading "I love Messi."

Messi toured the field, waving to fans, but after his sudden departure on Saturday, frustrated attendees stormed the stadium, damaging banners and tents, and threw plastic chairs and water bottles.

A short exhibition match had been expected to take place.

One fan said, "Only the captains and actors surrounded Messi… so why did they invite us? We paid 12,000 rupees for a ticket and couldn't even see his face."

Another added that people paid roughly a month's salary to see him.

"I paid 5,000 rupees for a ticket and came with my son to see Messi. The police and military were filming selfies, and the management is responsible," another fan said.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, hosts large football crowds in a cricket-obsessed country, and the city sees massive attendance at local club matches.