Messi ends India tour after chaotic Kolkata, festive Delhi
Lionel Messi wrapped up his India tour on December 15, closing a whirlwind visit marked by crowd chaos in Kolkata and a smoother, celebratory finale in Delhi. The Argentine star was in the country for promotional events aimed at expanding football’s footprint in India, drawing massive crowds wherever he appeared.
Scenes turned tense in Kolkata, where thousands of fans surged toward the venue, forcing police to intervene and briefly halt proceedings. “The response was far bigger than anticipated,” a senior police official said, adding that security plans had to be adjusted on the spot to regain control. Despite the disruption, Messi acknowledged the passion, saying the energy from Indian fans was “incredible and unforgettable.”
The tour ended on a brighter note in Delhi, where Messi was greeted with confetti, music and a tightly managed event. “Delhi showed how football celebrations can be joyful and organised,” an event organiser said. A former India international described the visit as “a milestone moment,” noting that Messi’s presence had “ignited interest in the game among a new generation.”
Messi’s short but intense trip underlined both India’s growing love for football and the challenges of hosting global icons in a country of vast crowds and boundless enthusiasm.