Peaceful End to Messi's India Tour Following Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – sending balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media reported, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.
A Busy Itinerary Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a succession of marketing 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 virtually revealed a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after angry fans destroyed seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, most of them were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.
"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The organizer in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in press interactions.
Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these meetings, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister departed on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Vast Popularity in India
Messi's fame is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
