Lionel Messi's Visit to India: A Mixed Experience of Joy and Disappointment

Messi's Heartfelt Promise to Return

As Lionel Messi addressed the audience at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday evening, his words resonated beyond the stadium walls. "We will certainly come back, hopefully to play a match or for another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India," Messi expressed in Spanish, a language many in the crowd struggled to understand, yet they felt the sentiment deeply.

Delhi's Triumph After Kolkata's Disappointment

There's no doubt that Delhi succeeded where Kolkata failed. The final segment of the G.O.A.T. India Tour concluded with a spectacular atmosphere, following a chaotic start that embarrassed Indian sports. Approximately 25,000 fans filled the Arun Jaitley Stadium, many clad in Argentina's colors, chanting Messi's name as he celebrated with a lap of honor.

"Although it was brief and intense, the love I received was incredible. Experiencing it firsthand was amazing," Messi remarked.

For 30 minutes, football took the spotlight. Messi engaged with fans, kicked balls into the stands, interacted with children, honored the Minerva Academy team, and shared joyful moments with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. ICC chairman Jay Shah presented him with an Indian jersey featuring the number 10.

The event was well-organized and festive, but it also felt like a response to previous missteps.

Fans' Devotion Amidst Challenges

For fans like Amog and Arnav Purohit, attending the Delhi event was more than just entertainment; it was a pilgrimage. "This was a dream come true for us," Amog shared. "Watching him live... ideally, we would have preferred to see him play, but that wasn't possible."

Amog noted that crowd management could have been improved, expressing a mix of gratitude and disappointment. Arnav, who traveled from Bengaluru, simply stated, "For him, we can do anything."

This sentiment encapsulates the disparity of the tour: fans invested everything, while the system provided fleeting moments.

Kolkata's Catastrophe

The reason Delhi felt victorious was due to the chaos in Kolkata. Eyewitnesses reported a security failure that bordered on absurdity. Messi was overwhelmed by politicians, organizers, photographers, and fans eager for selfies, making him visibly uncomfortable.

Former footballer Rahim Nabi noted, "Many were getting too close to Messi, Suarez, and De Paul, even invading their personal space."

Former TMC MLA Dipendu Biswas recounted how Messi was startled by the crowd's eagerness for selfies and was abruptly taken off the field. The event concluded in just 20 minutes, leaving fans who paid significant amounts feeling cheated.

This led to anger, vandalism, and a sense of national embarrassment.

Lingering Sadness

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra articulated a sentiment shared by many. He expressed, "As Messi's visit unfolded, parts of it felt chaotic and left me quietly uneasy. Millions were spent for fleeting moments with a legend."

Bindra emphasized that he did not blame Messi, acknowledging his hard-earned opportunities. Instead, he posed a challenging question: "As a society, are we fostering a culture of sports, or merely celebrating individuals from a distance?"

This question looms over Messi's promise to return.

A Lasting Impact

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey was candid in his critique, stating, "This incident will have repercussions for 50 years." He reminded organizers that Messi's presence attracts global media attention, and what transpired in Kolkata was not passion but mismanagement.

"What occurred at the Salt Lake Stadium was preventable," he asserted. "This will be remembered for a long time."

The Future of Messi's Visits to India

Messi departs India with cherished memories and a new chapter in his storied career. He captivated hearts in Delhi without even playing a competitive match.

However, inspiration without purpose fades quickly. If Messi's future visits consist of more barricaded appearances and VIP chaos, perhaps he should reconsider.

The true tragedy of the G.O.A.T. India Tour is not merely its failures but the lessons we have yet to learn.

Messi stated, "We will definitely return." The pressing question remains: Will Indian sports be prepared for his next visit?