Peaceful End to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Unrest in Kolkata
Football superstar Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentina and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, alongside 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 plane from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, reports stated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
A Packed Itinerary Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.
Troubled Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after disappointed fans ripped up seats and flung 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 spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by resorting to violence."
The ruckus, which made international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Successful Visits in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.
Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan assemblies 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 scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Immense Popularity in India
Messi's popularity comes not only from his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
