Football icon Lionel Messi’s second day in India went smoothly on Sunday after a chaotic opening to his three-day tour when the World Cup winner kicked balls into the crowd and met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Messi greeted excited fans clad in Argentine soccer jerseys at a packed Wankhede Stadium in India’s financial hub, Mumbai, as fans chanted his name.
The 38-year-old Argentine and Inter Miami superstar took center stage in the presence of India’s sporting royalty, including Tendulkar and soccer star Sunil Chhetri.
Messi along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo de Paul are part of the so-called Goat Tour of a cricket-crazy nation.
Cricket great Tendulkar presented Messi with his iconic number 10 jersey from India’s 2011 World Cup triumph at the same venue.
“I have had some amazing times here,” said batting star Tendulkar.
“Mumbai is a city of dreams and many dreams have reached the finish line here at this very place and without your support we could never have seen those golden moments in 2011.
“And having the big three of football here today is certainly a golden moment for Mumbai, Mumbaikars and India.”
Although a cricketing power, the nation of 1.4 billion people struggles on the football field and is ranked 142nd in the FIFA rankings.
“Thank you for being here and encouraging the youngsters,” Tendulkar said. “I hope football here in India also reaches the heights that we all aspire to.”
The Mumbai event went off without a hitch compared to Saturday’s event in the eastern city of Kolkata, where tight security left fans scrambling to catch a glimpse of Messi.
Frustrated fans, many of whom had paid more than $100 for tickets, broke down barricades and stormed the court after the superstar abruptly left the arena.
Spectators also tore seats from the stadium and threw water bottles onto the track.
One person has been arrested for the incident.
Before chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 70-foot (21-meter) statue showing him holding aloft the 2022 World Cup.
The footballer was in the city of Hyderabad later on Saturday, where he briefly addressed the crowd in Spanish.
Messi concludes his tour of India on Monday, with a possible meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The soccer player won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after powering Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker will lead Argentina’s defense of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
