Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.
On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.
As Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.
His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media reported, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.
A Busy Schedule Spanning Several Metropolises
Messi had a hectic schedule in India, attending a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.
Disastrous Beginning in Football-Crazy Kolkata
The tour, however, started with a troubled start after frustrated fans tore seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.
Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.
However, most of them were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.
"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."
The ruckus, which captured 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 detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.
Successful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai
Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.
Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these meetings, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.
There were rumors earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
The Root of Messi's Vast Appeal in India
Messi's fame comes not only from his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.
