The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour that began in shambolic fashion in Kolkata ended in a blaze of glory as the football icon promised to return after giving his fans a lifetime of memories in just 30 minutes in New Delhi on Monday.
For a change, it was football that took centre stage at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium), as devoted fans joyously gathered to catch a glimpse of the man who does things on the field that are often beyond human comprehension.
The Messi mania reached a fever pitch when he took the mike to address the large gathering that also included Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, among others.
“Well, I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. In fact, it was a truly beautiful experience for us to be able to share it,” Messi told the crowd.
Speaking in Spanish, a language not spoken by most in the city but still creating a sense of yearning among the fans, Messi added, “And although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but receiving it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us these days.”
The FIFA World Cup-winner Argentine legend finished by saying, “So, we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India. Thank you very much.”
In the end, the much-publicised and anticipated event in Delhi had the ending it wanted, after a chaotic beginning in Kolkata on the tour’s first stop on Saturday.
The thousands of heads in the stands at Kotla, as well as the few Indian celebrities and dignitaries inside the ground, basked in the euphoria of hosting one of the world’s most recognisable and bankable athletes at an extravagant event.
They were perhaps swept away by the otherworldly talent, the humility, and the impact that Messi has had on the game over the past two decades.
Upon arrival, Messi took a lap of the ground smiling, and watched the celebrity match coming to an end, even as the spectators, many of whom were dressed in the famous blue and white Argentine jersey bearing No. 10, chanted his name continuously.
He was waving to the stands, something he had tried to do in Kolkata, too, but could not. Unlike in Delhi, he had been crowded and jostled by too many people, including politicians and their aides, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
At Kotla, as confetti showered down on him, Messi kicked the ball occasionally into the stands of spectators along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, while also taking a round of the venue that registered an attendance of around 25,000.
Messi felicitated the Minerva Academy team, and he also played football with kids after a photo with them. The trio shook hands with them and exchanged smiles.
During the programme, Jay Shah presented Messi with an Indian cricket team jersey bearing the No. 10.
Suarez received a No. 9 jersey, while De Paul was handed the No. 7 shirt.
Meanwhile, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) level reaching an alarming 452 earlier in the morning, some in stands were heard chanting “AQI, AQI”, when CM Gupta arrived at the venue.
Unforgettable day for fans
For Amog and Arnav Purohit, the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Monday was not another point on the map. It was a pilgrimage site.
The brothers were among the thousands of spectators at the venue, their eyes fixed on the ground, phones in hand to record the moment.
For years, Messi had lived on their screens, late-night kick-offs, whispered celebrations, and heartbreaks endured together. Seeing him in the flesh, even briefly, felt unreal.
“This was a dream come true moment for us,” Amog said, still trying to process it. “Watching him live… ideally, we would have liked to see him play, but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen.”
Messi’s visit was fleeting. Too fleeting, perhaps, for fans who had travelled across states and countries. The crowd waited for around five hours and then the Argentine icon was gone almost as quickly as he arrived.
“The crowd management could have been better. He was here for a really short time,” Amog added, the disappointment tempered by perspective.
