What was promised to be a watershed moment in Indian football folklore spiralled into an opportunity for deep reflection as Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour that kicked off with pomp and show with the unveiling
of a glorious 70-foot statue of the World Cup winner in the spiritual home of the sport in the peninsular nation, descended into chaos with disgruntled fans storming the grass of the iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday in a moment of catharsis following gross mismanagement.
Fans, who had pledged their purse for the promise of a glimpse of the magician from Rosario, were left irked as politicians and organisers curtained the Argentine superstar during his lap of honour at the VYBK, causing passionate fans to become agitated as they couldn’t get a clear view of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. This led to security breaches and forced Messi to halt his lap of honour midway. Fans, upset with the event’s organisation, started removing chairs and throwing various objects.
The incident sheds light on the pressing challenges in hosting extravaganzas as India seeks to live an elusive dream of harbouring the Olympics. While the dream is real and the passion is genuine, it is perhaps time for the powers that be to do some soul searching in their pursuit of nailing the logistical nuances necessary for the smooth conduct of such spectacles.
The crux of it: Fans were pushed over the edge as they were barred of a clear eyeshot of their hero, who they had come to feast their irises on, with a million dreams and a million more pennies rendered duped. Organisers, politicians, celebrities hogged the limelight courtesy of their cheat-code to dais alongside the man who caputred a billion dreams.
While the sentiment of ‘the human-side of celebrities’ is indeed credible, the hard-earned money of a commoner isn’t something to be treated as change, especially when measured across the tantalizing word of a glimpse of the miracle man who reached the promised land.
Messi arrived in Kolkata early Saturday morning, and the city reacted with great enthusiasm as followers in the thousands gathered at hotels, streets, and landmarks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football icon.
Messi unveiled a statue of his likeness at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club at Lake Town in South Dum Dum as the massive structure depicts the legend holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, commemorating his crowning achievement with Argentina in Qatar.
Alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi virtually unveiled the statue from the Hyatt Regency in Kolkata. Fans across the city celebrated the moment with undeniable excitement.
This visit marks Messi’s first trip to India since 2011, when he played at the Salt Lake Stadium, helping Argentina edge Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly. Messi’s return was supposed to be a joyous moment in time as he walked the Indian shores as a World Champion, a dream fulfilled by him immaculate genius on the grandest stage in Doha.
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