You have to go past Lake Town in Kolkata every single time you go to the airport. And each time, you will see the 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi. Each such visit is a reminder of a disaster, a scar that will take time to heal.
We have spent a lot of time analysing how it was a collective disaster. From the promoters to our hero-worship culture and political takeover, we know how things went south. But this isn’t about that anymore. Rather, when I think back and realise that Messi left Kolkata without kicking a football, it will be a scar that we will find difficult to deal with.
The truth is Messi is all about football. He is god to many because of his skills on the pitch. That’s why his left foot is insured for 90 million dollars. And that’s what we did not see in Kolkata. Not one free kick, not one juggle, not one penalty or even a kick of a ball into the stands.
That’s what brings me to our worship culture. We just want selfies and photos and autographs. That’s what satiates our hunger. We are so starry eyed that nothing else matters. The real deal was Messi and football. And that’s what was not there. Yes, he wouldn’t play six months ahead of a World Cup. Fair point. But he would at least show us some of that extraordinary genius with the ball, for that’s what the fans wanted to see. That’s why they had paid money to go to the stadium. All the fan needed was for Messi to kick a few balls and take a few free kicks. Those videos would go viral and the job would be done.
Instead, the disgraceful selfie culture crept in. The fan wasn’t relevant anymore as autographs and photos with every person of entitlement took centre stage. Football was not relevant. The sport lost out. Fans lost out, and that’s why the scars will never heal.
We in India love hero worship. Fair. But at least, worship the hero and celebrate him for what he is known for. Messi not doing the football clinic with kids will haunt them all their lives. Never again will these kids get the opportunity to spend 30 minutes of quality football time with Messi. Many who went there with their kids said to me that the children were crying. Some of these kids kept asking why Messi wasn’t taking a shot. That’s the point. That’s Messi. Instead, a few thousand selfies is all we got. And that’s because of our worship culture.
Messi will soon be back home. For him, this was a business trip. He is 100 crores richer. Kolkata doesn’t matter. He said he wants to come back because that was part of the written script that was passed on to him. That’s how celebrities operate. And our worship culture allows such things to go on. We missed a chance. The kids missed a chance. What is certain is that the scar won’t heal for a long time.
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