Peaceful Conclusion to Messi's India Tour After Disorder in Kolkata
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in hazy 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 attacker.
As Messi, joined by Inter Miami colleagues Luis SuĂĄrez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch â booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs â the crowd chanted his name.
His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
A Packed Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the early hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.
Troubled Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a troubled start after disappointed fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state â of which Kolkata is the capital â and a multitude of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, most of them didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.
"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans â prevented from seeing of Messi â "released their frustration by resorting to violence."
The ruckus, which made international headlines, overshadowed 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Peaceful Visits in Other Cities
Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in media interviews.
Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities â film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure 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 have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister departed on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Vast Popularity in India
Messi's popularity stems not just from his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football â he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona â but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.
