Peaceful Finish to Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates 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 shouted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media stated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his visit there.
A Packed Agenda Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a packed schedule in India, taking part in a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after disappointed fans destroyed 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 forked out up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.
"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, 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 organizer 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 Other Cities
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.
Messi also encountered several politicians and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan crowds 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 Reason of His 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 deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
