Peaceful Finish to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, following a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources reported, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
A Packed Agenda Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after frustrated fans destroyed seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of ardent supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, most of them didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, which captured international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star online and in media interviews.
Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of His Immense Popularity in India
Messi's appeal is due to more than his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
