Leander Paes, renowned Indian tennis player, expressed disappointment over the West Bengal government's handling of Lionel Messi's controversial event in December 2025, describing it as 'sad'. He noted that if Sourav Ganguly had managed it, the outcome would have been better. Paes, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assembly elections, emphasized his identity as a Bengali, stating that questioning it is hurtful. He acknowledged his roots in Kolkata, where he began his tennis journey and pointed out significant gaps in sports infrastructure, including the absence of a dedicated tennis stadium. Paes mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shared visions for sports and youth development with him, motivating him to contribute to the nation's growth. The backdrop of his comments includes the chaotic Messi event, where mismanagement led to unrest among fans and political fallout, including the resignation of West Bengal's Sports Minister.