Peaceful End to Messi's India Tour After Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly 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, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.
His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media indicated, and his itinerary had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a troubled start after angry fans destroyed 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 countless devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, the majority failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation grew violent.
"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger 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 organizer in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Successful Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in media interviews.
Messi also met several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon 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 rumors earlier that Messi would meet 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 Source of Messi's Great Appeal in India
Messi's appeal is due to more than his lengthy international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
