Global football icon Lionel Messi has sparked a wave of disappointment among fans in Kolkata after his official recap of the recent India tour gave the city a surprisingly brief mention. The Argentine superstar shared a one-minute video on his Instagram on Wednesday, but footage from the Kolkata leg of his tour was conspicuously sparse.
Kolkata's Fleeting Appearance in Messi's Video
The much-anticipated video, which recapped Messi's multi-city visit, devoted a mere four seconds to Kolkata. Out of these, three seconds focused solely on the unveiling of his impressive 70-foot statue at Lake Town. Notably, there was no footage at all from the iconic Salt Lake stadium, where Messi had interacted with fans and players. This omission has become a major point of contention for the city's passionate football followers.
Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai Steal the Spotlight
In stark contrast to Kolkata's minimal screen time, the video lavished attention on Messi's appearances in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. The clip was interspersed with highlights of the footballer meeting Indian sporting and entertainment legends. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor featured prominently. From the Kolkata segment, industrialist Sanjeev Goenka was the only local personality to appear, while several political figures and other celebrities Messi met during his time in the city were left out.
The perceived slight was further emphasized in the video's caption. Messi wrote, "Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata," mentioning the City of Joy last despite it being the starting point of his tour. He thanked fans for their hospitality and expressed optimism for football's future in India.
Global Audience Magnifies the Omission
As the world's second most-followed footballer on Instagram after Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi commands an audience of hundreds of millions. This massive reach has made the minimal focus on Kolkata all the more noticeable and disappointing for its residents. Fans were quick to connect the dots, with many suggesting that the lack of footage might be linked to the logistical challenges Messi faced at the Salt Lake stadium during his visit.
"Had Messi not faced such trouble at the stadium, I guess Kolkata may have also featured prominently in his post," remarked Gourab Dutta, a devoted Messi fan, echoing a sentiment shared by many on social media. The video, intended as a thank-you note, has instead ignited a conversation about the city's representation on a global platform curated by one of the world's biggest sports stars.
