New Delhi, Dec 15: Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Monday expressed concern over the way Argentine football icon Lionel Messi's recent tour of India unfolded, saying it left him with a sense of "quiet
sadness" as vast sums were spent for brief access and photo opportunities rather than strengthening the country's sporting foundations.
Messi's three day, four city G O A T Tour sparked massive fanfare across India, drawing politicians, film personalities, industrialists and officials eager for a moment with the World Cup winning superstar.
However, the frenzy also led to chaos, particularly in Kolkata, where violent scenes erupted after large sections of the public failed to get even a clear glimpse of Messi despite paying high ticket prices.
Reflecting on the spectacle in a detailed post on X, Bindra said the experience compelled him to pause and reflect on what the country was truly trying to achieve. He noted that while people are free to spend their money as they choose, he could not help but wonder what might have been possible had even a fraction of the energy and investment been channelled into building sporting infrastructure and grassroots systems.
Bindra was careful to underline his immense respect for Messi, describing the Argentina captain as a rare athlete whose journey transcends sport. The former shooter praised Messi's rise from a child battling physical challenges to a global icon who embodies perseverance, humility and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold winner said he fully understands the commercial realities of modern sport, including global branding and the magnetism of icons, and made it clear that he did not fault Messi in any way. According to Bindra, admiration for greatness is natural and even beautiful, and Messi has earned every opportunity that comes his way.
However, Bindra questioned whether the resources used to organise such a spectacle, which involved limited fan engagement and no real football related activity, could have been better utilised. He asked whether India is building a genuine sporting culture or merely celebrating individuals from a distance.
"Great sporting nations are not built by moments. They are built by systems, patience and belief in the ordinary child with an extraordinary dream," Bindra said, adding that inspiration drawn from icons like Messi must be matched with intent and long term commitment.
He concluded by saying that the most meaningful way to honour legends of Messi's stature is by investing in robust sporting ecosystems that allow future generations to thrive, stressing that this is how sporting cultures are born and legacies truly endure.
