Calm Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, reports stated, 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 event there.
A Busy Schedule Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after frustrated 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 countless ardent supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, many failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Poor management of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "expressed their fury by indulging in violence."
The unrest, which grabbed international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Peaceful Visits in Other Cities
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.
Messi also had meetings with 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 engagements, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.
There were reports earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister departed on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of His Vast Popularity in India
Messi's fame comes not only from his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
