Smooth Finish to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Kolkata Chaos
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports stated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.
A Busy Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a chaotic start after angry fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of devoted supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The ruckus, which captured international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Smooth Events in Other Cities
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these engagements, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan crowds in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Vast Fame in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
