Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Disorder in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, reports stated, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.
A Busy Agenda Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a series of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Beginning in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after angry fans tore seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, the majority failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Poor management of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which grabbed 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 detained, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Smooth Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the global icon online 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 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 Root of Messi's Immense Popularity in India
Messi's appeal 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 referred to as the beautiful game.
