The much-anticipated visit of football legend Lionel Messi to India's capital was starkly overshadowed by the city's toxic air, with fans turning a celebratory event into a protest against severe pollution. As Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took the stage at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday evening, the deafening roars of 'Messi' were replaced by a pointed chorus of 'AQI, AQI' from the gathered crowd.
Stadium Echoes with Pollution Protest
The chants were a direct response to the hazardous air that had engulfed the city for days. On Monday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at a 'Severe' 427, marking the third consecutive day of critically polluted air. The situation was even grimmer just a day prior, on Sunday, when the capital registered its most polluted day of the season with an average AQI of 461. This alarming figure represents the second-worst air quality day in December since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) began monitoring in 2015.
Vibhor, a business professional who was present at the stadium, described the scene. "I was there at the stadium this morning. The air was definitely not good… the impact of smog was visible even in video recordings on phone cameras," he said. "The stadium turned to chanting 'AQI, AQI' when the Delhi CM entered. It was an impromptu action, to be honest." The protests did not subside quickly; the chants continued throughout the Chief Minister's presence, and she was reportedly booed by sections of the crowd on her way out.
Smog Delays Messi's Arrival, Fans Brave Toxic Air
The severe pollution and foggy conditions had a tangible impact on the event's logistics as well. Messi's charter flight to Delhi was significantly delayed, causing a major schedule disruption. Originally scheduled to land at 10:45 AM, the Inter Miami star's plane finally touched down at 2:30 PM. The delay meant he reached the Arun Jaitley Stadium venue only by 4:30 PM, hours behind plan.
Despite the health risks, thousands of dedicated fans had braved the thick smog throughout the day, filling the stadium early to catch a glimpse of their hero. Their patience was rewarded when Messi, alongside teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, interacted with young footballers from Chandigarh's Minerva Academy and kicked footballs into the stands. Later, the football icon met with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, ICC chairman Jay Shah, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.
A Capital Gripped by Hazardous Air
The incident at the stadium served as a microcosm of the larger public frustration in Delhi-NCR, where residents have been grappling with prolonged periods of unbreathable air. The AQI reading of 325 around the stadium at the time of the event was still in the 'Very Poor' category, a slight reprieve from the 'Severe' averages but still dangerous for public health. The spontaneous protest highlights how environmental concerns are increasingly finding expression in public gatherings, transcending the main event's purpose.
The 'GOAT Tour' event, intended as a celebration of sporting excellence, thus became an unintended platform for citizens to voice their anguish over a persistent civic and health crisis, proving that even the glamour of a global superstar like Lionel Messi could not mask the harsh reality of Delhi's air pollution emergency.
