Amid massive backlash on social media and a formal complaint by her husband, Bengali actress Subhashree Ganguly on Monday released a video statement on Instagram saying she was being unfairly targeted over the chaos that unfolded during Argentine footballer Lionel Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, even though she had attended the event as an invited guest.
“I was invited to a five-star hotel to meet Messi and I reached the designated hotel around 8:30 am on Saturday. There were many industrialists, known faces and sportspersons. I met him there for the first time and took photographs between 10.00 and 10.15 am. As I was about to leave, Messi’s PR team requested me to go to Salt Lake Stadium,” she said.
Explaining that several arrangements were in place around Messi, she said she was told it would be more convenient if she accompanied the team.
“There was a couch and we were sitting there. Can anyone prove that I blocked Messi’s way and people couldn’t see him because of me? I myself witnessed the situation at the ground turning tense when Messi arrived at the stadium around 11:30 am, and it was clearly mismanagement. The responsibility lies with the organisers,” she stated.
Subhashree further said she herself could not see Messi clearly at the stadium. “I was sitting in a tent near the field and couldn’t see Messi. So how would you have seen him? But was I on the field? Did I stand in your way? The way I’m being criticised, it’s as if I was standing next to Messi on the ground. What is my fault? Is it my fault that I went to a hotel and took photos? It could be my mistake that the photos got posted at the wrong time due to a technical issue,” she added.
Comparing the event with Messi’s appearance in Mumbai, Subhashree questioned why she was being singled out. “Am I being attacked and targeted simply because I am a woman or because I am a Bengali film actress? Kareena Kapoor also went from Bollywood. Didn’t Shah Rukh Khan go to take photos? What is my fault? I am being taunted by being called someone’s ex-girlfriend. It’s almost 2026. Even women are addressing women like this. Have you decided that this is how you’ll treat me?” she said.
She also warned against targeting her children or making personal attacks. Subhashree claimed that since the incident she has been subjected to trolling, with her family being dragged into the controversy. She alleged that threats have been made against her two young children, including claims that they would be killed.
Chaos broke out at the stadium after Messi, along with teammates Luis Suarez and Angel Di Maria, appeared for around 20 minutes and then left on Saturday. During their appearance, the players were surrounded by a large crowd on the field, including West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and several VIPs and their family members, leaving many spectators unable to see them. After the players left, disappointed fans began throwing water bottles and other objects onto the ground.