Calm Conclusion to Messi's India Tour Following Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
An Intense Agenda 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 heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after angry fans tore seats and hurled 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 attend the event.
However, most of them didn't even get to see him as he was accompanied 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 hyped-up event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, marred 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star online and in media interviews.
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 juggling 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 Source of Messi's Immense Popularity in India
Messi's popularity is due to more than his prolific international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.