Calm End to Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports indicated, and his schedule had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.
A Packed Itinerary Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a troubled start after disappointed fans tore 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 a multitude of devoted supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over 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 detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Peaceful Engagements in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star online and in media interviews.
Messi also met 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 engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan crowds in stadiums and playing football 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 scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Reason of Messi's Immense Appeal in India
Messi's appeal is due to more than his lengthy international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
