Calm Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – sending balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports reported, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.
A Busy Itinerary Across Multiple Cities
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving 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, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Disastrous Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, began with a troubled start after angry fans ripped up seats and flung 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 spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by resorting to violence."
The unrest, which grabbed international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called 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.
Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.
Messi also met several political figures 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 engagements, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings 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 Root of His Immense Popularity in India
Messi's appeal stems not just from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
