Is Kiren Rijiju Listening ?
CHANDIGARH: The spectacle around Lionel Messi’s brief appearance at Salt Lake Stadium has left Indian football with more questions than pride.
Amid chaotic crowd scenes, poor arrangements, vandalised infrastructure and a star footballer barely visible behind a ring of security, Punjab FC Director Ranjit Bajaj dropped a blunt truth bomb that has since gone viral.
“Give me Rs 150 crore and I will create ten Messis to win the World Cup for India,” Bajaj said, cutting through the hype surrounding the costly event that brought the Argentine legend to India.
The comment has struck a raw nerve. According to estimates doing the rounds, nearly Rs 150 crore was spent by a mix of government agencies, sports bodies and private clubs to host the global icon.
Yet, for thousands of frenzied fans packed into the stadium, the moment they paid for never truly arrived.
Messi remained a distant figure, shielded by heavy security, while spectators jostled. Irate fans threw the chairs, bags, railings and everything they could lay their hands on in fury as a mark of protest as they were Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for tickets. Basic crowd management collapsed.
Bajaj’s statement is not an attack on Messi, whose legacy continues to inspire young athletes across the world.
Instead, it is a sharp indictment of India’s football ecosystem, where shows routinely trump outcomes and events overshadow development.
His words have triggered uncomfortable conversations about how Indian football is run.
Sports associations and federations, many dominated by political appointees, have consistently failed to channel funds into grassroots training, scouting and coaching.
Young footballers across the country struggle with poor facilities, limited exposure and a near-total absence of long-term planning.
Fans echo the frustration. They celebrate global stars but quietly ask why Indian talent is left to fend for itself. Why are academies starved of funds while crores are splurged on one-night spectacles.
Why motivated coaches and structured youth programmes remain promises on paper.
Bajaj’s viral post has emerged as a rare wake-up call. It challenges not just governments, but sporting bodies, clubs and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to rethink priorities.
His message is simple and unsettling. Real heroes are not imported for photo-ops. They are built on dusty grounds with sustained investment, honest administration and professional coaching.
The Messi event may fade into memory as a missed opportunity. Bajaj’s challenge, however, lingers as a chilling reminder of the pathetic state of affairs in Indian football.
The question now is whether those in charge will listen, or continue to mistake spectacle for success.
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