Smooth Finish to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of 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, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd shouted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media indicated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.
An Intense Itinerary Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a string of brand 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 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a troubled start after disappointed 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 a multitude of ardent supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, many failed 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 became tense.
"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by resorting to violence."
The unrest, which captured 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.
Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were speculation earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of His Vast Popularity in India
Messi's fame comes not only 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 millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
