Smooth Conclusion to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports stated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.
A Packed Itinerary Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a packed schedule in India, taking part in a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the pre-dawn 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 eastern city.
Troubled Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a chaotic start after frustrated fans ripped up 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 devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, many didn't even get to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Successful Events in Other Cities
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were reports earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of His Great Popularity in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his lengthy international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
