Calm Finish to Lionel Messi's Visit to India Following Unrest in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports indicated, and his itinerary had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.
A Packed Agenda Spanning Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before traveling 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-strong crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Start in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a troubled start after frustrated fans tore seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of ardent supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The unrest, which grabbed international headlines, overshadowed 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 detention.
Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star online and in media interviews.
Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these engagements, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan assemblies 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 Great Popularity in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his lengthy 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.