Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Unrest in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports stated, and his schedule had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
A Busy Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely presented a massive statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely 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, most of them failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Smooth Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in press interactions.
Messi also encountered several politicians and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Vast Popularity in India
Messi's appeal comes not only from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
