Calm End to Messi's India Tour After Kolkata Chaos
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
A Busy Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.
Disastrous Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a disastrous 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 countless adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, many failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation grew violent.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The unrest, which made international headlines, overshadowed Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Smooth Events in Other Cities
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans expressing their joy 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 sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were reports 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 Reason of Messi's Great Popularity in India
Messi's appeal stems not just from his prolific international career and wide 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.
