Messi's Indian Odyssey: A Triumphant Farewell Amidst Delhi's Choking Smog
Image Source: Internet
New Delhi: In a spectacle that defied the city's severe air pollution, Lionel Messi concluded his 'GOAT India Tour' on Monday, leaving behind a trail of adoring fans and unforgettable memories. Despite a 90-minute delay and an air quality index of over 450, a 25,000-strong crowd at the Arun Jaitley Stadium remained undeterred, eagerly awaiting the Argentine superstar's arrival. As Messi's chartered flight from Mumbai touched down, the stadium gates opened at 11:30 am, and fans began to pour in, dressed in Albiceleste's iconic blue and white jerseys. The exorbitant ticket prices, ranging from ₹5000 to ₹22000, seemed to be a mere formality as fans clamored to catch a glimpse of their idol. Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the ground at 4:20 pm, greeted by thunderous applause and deafening chants. The diminutive icon took a leisurely lap of the cricket ground, kicking footballs into the stands and waving at his doting fans, who had braved the elements for about five hours. As the stadium reverberated with his name, Messi's presence seemed to lift the spirits of those present, much like the iconic 'Sachin, Sachin' chant of yesteryear. A giant banner with 'Visca el Barca' greeted him at the Mohinder Amarnath Stand, and the footballer obliged by curling in a high pass into the delirious top tier. The 40-minute appearance ended with Messi being joined by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, and former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia on the stage. Shah presented Messi with an Indian cricket team jersey bearing the No. 10, while Suarez and De Paul received jerseys with the numbers 9 and 7, respectively. As confetti rained down, Messi ended the tour with a heartfelt address to the crowd in Spanish, thanking them for the love and affection during his stay in India. "I want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. It was a truly beautiful experience for us to be able to share it," he said. The Argentine superstar concluded by expressing his gratitude and promising to return to India, hopefully to play a match or visit again in the future.
