Messi’s Tour in India

Activities Planned

Lionel Messi is currently visiting India as part of a promotional tour where he is set to participate in various events, including concerts, youth football clinics, a Padel tournament, and charitable activities in cities such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

Fan Reaction

Indian media sources indicate that the 2022 World Cup champion made a brief appearance at the stadium, greeting fans while being closely accompanied by a large entourage. He departed approximately 20 minutes after his arrival.

Footage from ANI captured moments of unrest, showing fans throwing broken stadium seats and other items onto the playing field. This disruption included individuals who climbed the fence surrounding the pitch to toss objects.

Discontent Among Fans

One spectator at the stadium expressed their frustration, stating, “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they invite us then? We paid 12,000 rupees ($132.51) for a ticket, yet we couldn’t even catch a glimpse of his face.”

The organizers of Messi’s tour have not responded to inquiries for comments regarding the event.

Cultural Significance

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is notable for its strong football culture, alongside regions like Kerala and Goa, in a nation predominantly passionate about cricket. The late Diego Maradona had a strong connection with Kolkata, having visited twice and unveiling a statue of himself holding the World Cup in 2017 amidst the adoration of thousands of fans.

Messi, who previously played a friendly match in Salt Lake Stadium in 2011, where Argentina claimed a 1-0 victory over Venezuela, also virtually inaugurated a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata earlier that Saturday.