Smooth End to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media stated, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.
A Packed Schedule Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, taking part in a series of promotional 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 digitally unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after disappointed fans ripped up seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, the majority were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.
"Poor management of a highly anticipated event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, 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 organizer in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Successful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend online and in media interviews.
Messi also met several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these meetings, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of His Great Fame in India
Messi's fame is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
