Smooth Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media stated, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.
An Intense Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a succession of promotional 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 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after disappointed fans ripped up seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is extremely 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, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, overshadowed 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 taken into custody, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend online and in media interviews.
Messi also met several politicians 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 engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were speculation earlier that Messi would meet 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 Messi's Immense Appeal in India
Messi's popularity stems not just from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
