Spanish Chants, VIP Boos, and Ronaldo Fan Jibes: Reporter's Diary from Lionel Messi Tour
Delhi, December 22, 2025 - The Lionel Messi tour has finally come to a close, with a much-needed dose of organization and success in Delhi. The contrast between this leg and the earlier stops in Kolkata and Hyderabad is nothing short of striking, raising crucial questions about event management in India.
I had the privilege of attending the Delhi leg, where Messi, along with his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez, took to the field to meet local players and complete a 40-minute stadium circuit. The event was a far cry from the initial chaos that marred the tour's beginning in Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.
For the uninitiated, Messi's India tour began on a tumultuous note in Kolkata. On December 18, 2025, the Argentine footballer's 20-minute appearance was marked by fan disgruntlement, vandalized seats, and objects thrown onto the field. The disorder stemmed from a large entourage surrounding Messi obstructing many fans' views. The situation escalated, forcing Messi to shorten his lap around the stadium as fans booed officials and politicians, leading to a security breach.
Chief Minister Banerjee responded to the incident with a statement expressing dismay at the mismanagement. She apologized to Messi and sports fans, announcing plans to establish an inquiry committee to investigate and prevent future occurrences. The Kolkata incident highlighted the need for a more streamlined event management system in India.
Fast-forward to the Delhi leg, where the contrast was palpable. Despite delays in Messi's arrival due to flight timing issues, the event proceeded smoothly without incident. Fan entry procedures, though delayed, proceeded without a hitch, a deliberate departure from the Kolkata experience.
However, the Delhi event also revealed an interesting dynamic - fan behavior. While fans were generally orderly and satisfied with the 40-minute appearance, they expressed their political views through targeted booing of dignitaries. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley was booed upon meeting Messi, as was ICC president Jay Shah. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta received particularly harsh treatment, with chants of "AQI AQI" (referencing Delhi's air quality index and ongoing pollution crisis) emanating from certain stands.
This incident is a reflection of the current state of affairs in Delhi politics, where citizens are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with governance. The booing of dignitaries at the Delhi leg is a manifestation of this sentiment.
As I watched the Delhi leg unfold, I couldn't help but think of Messi's historical connection to India. The Argentine footballer had previously played at the same Kolkata venue in 2011 in a friendly match where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. This was not his first visit to India, and it's clear that the country holds a special place in his heart.
The Messi tour has highlighted broader issues with large-scale sports event management in India. The initial Kolkata incident sparked conversations about fan behavior at major sporting events, crowd control procedures, and security planning at venues hosting international celebrities. The contrast between the chaotic Kolkata experience and the organized Delhi event suggests that lessons were learned and implemented relatively quickly.
The implications of the Messi tour are far-reaching. It exposes significant gaps in crowd control and security planning at large-scale sporting events in India. The rapid improvement from Kolkata to Delhi demonstrates that corrective measures can be implemented quickly, given the necessary attention and resources.
As India continues to host international sporting events, it's crucial that we learn from the mistakes of the past. The Messi tour has provided a valuable lesson in event management, one that we would do well to heed.
📰 Source: India Today - States
