Smooth Finish to Messi's Visit to India After Kolkata Chaos
Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, a multitude of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media indicated, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his event there.
A Busy Agenda Across Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a string of brand 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 virtually presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.
Troubled Start in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after frustrated fans ripped up 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 a multitude of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.
"Poor management of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."
The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, marred 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 taken into custody, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.
Successful Visits in Other Cities
Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star on social media 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 meetings, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan gatherings in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were reports earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister departed on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Great Popularity in India
Messi's appeal stems not just from his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
