Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues 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 roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.
A Packed Schedule 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 pre-dawn of Saturday.
Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.
Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Loving Kolkata
The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after frustrated fans ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.
However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."
The ruckus, which captured international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.
The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.
Successful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.
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 interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Source of Messi's Vast Fame in India
Messi's popularity is due to more than his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.
