Smooth End to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Disorder in Kolkata
Football superstar Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media reported, and his schedule had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his visit there.
A Packed Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a chaotic start after disappointed fans ripped up seats and hurled 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 spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, most of them didn't even get 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.
"Poor management of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which captured international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Successful Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these meetings, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings in stadiums and dribbling 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 departed on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Vast Popularity in India
Messi's popularity is due to more than his long international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
