Peaceful Finish to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources reported, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.
An Intense Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the early hours of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after frustrated fans destroyed seats and flung 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 forked out 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 quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration by resorting to violence."
The ruckus, which made international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.
Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan crowds 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 planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of His Great Popularity in India
Messi's appeal is due to more than his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
