Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner football legend, is currently on his last leg of his much-anticipated India tour. While initial media reports suggested that he could be heading to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence, as it turned out, the star athlete did not meet PM Modi.
However, Messi’s presence still managed to weave its magic at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The FIFA World Cup-winner with Argentina was greeted by the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and ICC President Jay Shah. The ICC chief handed him a Team India India team jersey, a signed cricket bat while giving him an invitational ticket to the India vs USA T20 World Cup match. India’s match against USA which also happens to be their campaign opener is scheduled to happen in Mumbai on February 7.
Luis Suarez & Rodrigo De Paul also present at the stadium
Other than Messi, his fellow footballers Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Argentine Rordrigo De Paul were also present at the venue. The three of them took a lap of the stadium. The footballers even had a brief dribbling session with young players who were at the stadium.
Messi to meet dignitaries post event at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Although PM Modi has already left for an official tour, Messi, it is being learnt that, is scheduled to leave for Purana Qila where he could meet the Chief Justice of India, the Army Chief, the Argentine Ambassador along with a few government officials.
‘Messy’ visit in Kolkata
Messi’s first day in India in Kolkata did not go as per the plan. Fans erupted in chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium after Messi left the venue earlier than scheduled. Even when he was on the pitch, he was crowded by dignitaries which meant that the crowd which had paid expensive money to buy tickets and catch a glimpse of their favourite superstar were left disappointed.
There was a violent protest with fans breaking chairs and throwing them at the policemen. Police too responded with mild ‘lathicharge’ to restore law and order. The main organiser of the event Satadru Dutta was detained at the Kolkata airport. Messi’s schedule in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi (so far) happened smoothly.