Peaceful Conclusion to Messi's India Tour Following Unrest in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources indicated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.
A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional 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 digitally revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a chaotic start after disappointed fans ripped up seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, most of them failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Poor management of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."
The unrest, which made international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed 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 custody.
Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in press interactions.
Messi also met several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan gatherings in stadiums and playing football 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 Root of His Immense Appeal in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
