Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour After Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentina and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media indicated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.
A Busy Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, attending a series of brand 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 virtually revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a chaotic start after angry fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless ardent supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, many 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.
"Poor management of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The unrest, which made international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.
Messi also encountered several politicians 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 waving to large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were speculation earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of His Immense Appeal in India
Messi's popularity comes not only from his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
