Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Disorder in Kolkata
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing 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 schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.
A Busy Itinerary Spanning Multiple Cities
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Disastrous Start in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after angry fans tore 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 be at the event.
However, the majority failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed 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 police custody.
Peaceful Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.
Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader 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 speculation 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 Popularity in India
Messi's popularity is due to more than his lengthy international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
