Peaceful Finish to Messi's India Tour Following Unrest in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on 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 trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
An Intense Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the early hours of Saturday.
Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is immensely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless adoring supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, many failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The unrest, which made international headlines, marred 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.
Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans expressing their joy 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 sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
There were speculation 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 Reason of Messi's Vast Fame in India
Messi's appeal is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
