Calm Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, angry fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.
A Busy Itinerary Spanning Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Troubled Start in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after frustrated fans tore seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.
"Faulty planning of a highly anticipated event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, 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 organizer in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Smooth Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in press interactions.
Messi also met several political figures 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 meetings, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.
There were reports earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Reason of His Immense Fame in India
Messi's popularity stems not just from his lengthy international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
