Peaceful End to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami team-mates 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 shouted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media indicated, and his itinerary had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.
An Intense Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, attending a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Beginning in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a troubled start after angry fans destroyed seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The ruckus, which captured international headlines, cast a shadow over 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 custody.
Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend online and in media interviews.
Messi also encountered several political figures 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 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 pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Immense Appeal in India
Messi's appeal comes not only from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
