Smooth Finish to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, alongside 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 chanted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media reported, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.
An Intense Itinerary Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a troubled start after frustrated fans ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which captured international headlines, marred 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would meet 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 Immense Fame in India
Messi's appeal 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 emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
