Football is popular in India no doubt. It is 'hugely popular' in West Bengal state - of which Kolkata is the capital. Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to Rs 12,000 to Rs 40,00 and allegedly much more than that in alleged 'black market'.
However, most of them didn't even get to see him as the football star was surrounded by officials and celebrities -- well connected to Trinamool Cogress - on his brief walk around the stadium.
There was one serving Minister too and the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - known for staging dramas and populist antics - was on her way to the Salt Lake Stadium. Messi was quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.
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(AFP/BBC - snap)
'The Telegraph' newspaper said in an editorial comment -- that "poor management of a hyped-up event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield".
Fans "vented their anger by indulging in violence". The ruckus, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called 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 police custody.
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Kolkata - Angry gestures by Messi fans |
Messi had a packed schedule in India, attending a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai since arriving in the early hours of Saturday.
Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.
Messi's visits to Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.
"Messi's popularity stems not just from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football - he's record scorer for Barcelona, the team he used to play for - but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game," reported BBC website.
Messi also met several politicians and celebrities. He met leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad, and India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.
In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.
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| Messi with cricket star Sachin - Getty Image/BBC |
ends
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