Smooth Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata
Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a chaotic opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami team-mates Luis SuΓ‘rez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch β kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures β the crowd shouted his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports indicated, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the wee hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a massive statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Troubled Beginning in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after angry fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state β of which Kolkata is the capital β and thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.
However, most of them didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.
"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans β not allowed even a sight of Messi β "expressed their fury by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The promoter in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai
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 press interactions.
Messi also met several politicians and celebrities β film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these meetings, 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 planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Immense Appeal in India
Messi's fame stems not just from his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football β he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona β but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
