Peaceful Conclusion to Messi's Visit to India After Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, passing 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, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
A Busy Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a succession of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a chaotic start after frustrated fans tore seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."
The ruckus, which captured 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Smooth Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon 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 meetings, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings 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 His Vast Appeal in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his lengthy international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
