Who is Satadru Dutta? Organiser of the Messi event as chaos erupts in Kolkata stadium

Satadru Dutta, the promoter behind Lionel Messi’s widely publicised visit to India, came under sharp focus on Sunday after disorderly scenes broke out at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, forcing the Argentine superstar to exit the venue within about 20 minutes of his arrival.

Dutta, a Kolkata-based sports event organiser known for facilitating appearances by global football icons in India, was seen repeatedly urging the crowd to make way for Messi as the situation inside the stadium deteriorated and security concerns mounted.

Who is Satadru Dutta?
Originally from Hooghly, a town with a strong footballing tradition, Satadru Dutta has emerged over the years as a prominent name in India’s sports promotion space. He holds an MBA from the West Bengal University of Technology and began his career in the corporate sector, with stints at firms such as L&FS and HSBC, before moving into sports marketing and philanthropic work, according to a NewsX report.

In 2011, Dutta launched A Satadru Dutta Initiative, an organisation that blends sports events, celebrity management and social-impact projects. He has since been involved in bringing several international football legends to India, including Ronaldinho, Cafu, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

As the principal promoter of Messi’s “GOAT India Tour”, Dutta personally welcomed the football icon on his arrival and had described the visit as a landmark moment for both Kolkata and Indian football.