Peaceful Finish to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos
Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, in the wake of a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media reported, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.
A Packed Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the early hours of Saturday.
Before making his way 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-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Disastrous Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a chaotic start after disappointed fans destroyed seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, the majority were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which grabbed 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 promoter in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness 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 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 speculation earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Great Appeal in India
Messi's popularity is due to more than his lengthy international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.