Lionel Messi’s arrival in Delhi delayed due to fog

New Delhi: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s arrival in the national capital for the final leg of his G.O.A.T Tour has been delayed after his charter flight was deferred due to inclement weather.

Messi, who is currently at the Mumbai airport, was scheduled to land in New Delhi earlier on Monday morning. However, foggy conditions in the capital forced a rescheduling of his flight. He is expected to depart Mumbai shortly for the final set of engagements, including a ticketed appearance at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

The World Cup winner captivated fans in Mumbai last evening, posing alongside cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and a host of Bollywood stars and politicians. Prior to Mumbai, Messi made similar appearances in Hyderabad and Kolkata, drawing large crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the superstar.

Why was the Kolkata event chaotic?

The Kolkata leg of the tour saw chaotic scenes at the Salt Lake Stadium, where frustrated fans tore apart seats and stormed the pitch after failing to see Messi, who was closely surrounded by politicians and officials.

The frenzy highlighted the extraordinary popularity of Messi in India and the logistical challenges of hosting a global superstar at public events.

Messi’s final engagement in New Delhi is set to be a ticketed event at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Fans are expected to gather in large numbers, although organisers are taking precautions to manage crowds safely following the chaotic scenes in Kolkata.

The G.O.A.T Tour in India has already generated significant media coverage and social media buzz, with fans sharing glimpses of Messi alongside Indian cricket and Bollywood icons.

(With agency inputs)