Smooth Finish to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos
Football superstar Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, in the wake of a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
An Intense Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually presented a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a disastrous 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 countless devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, many failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.
"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration by resorting to violence."
The unrest, which grabbed international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed 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 custody.
Smooth Visits in Other Cities
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with 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 interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were speculation 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 pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Great Popularity in India
Messi's fame is due to more than his lengthy international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
