A handshake and a photograph with Lionel Messi during his visit to India cost his fans more than $11,000, according to the organiser’s official website, as part of his three-day tour of the country’s major cities.
The package, which is exclusive and with limited tickets, includes a personal meeting with the Argentine footballer, an individual photograph, access to premium seats for the sporting event and an official Argentina national team jersey signed by Messi.
Local media has reported that some private meetings with the player, organised behind closed doors for corporations and VIP guests, have reached much higher figures, up to a crore rupees, about $120,000.
In addition to these premium experiences, events open to the general public are marketed at prices starting at around 3,500 rupees (about $42) for the lowest, according to information provided by the tour’s organizers.
Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, faces the final day of his visit to India on Monday, the first in the country in fourteen years since his previous trip in 2011, with an agenda marked by a large security operation.
The last altercation
The final stretch of the trip takes place after last Saturday’s truncated event in the city of Kolkata, where a massive event at the Salt Lake Stadium had to be interrupted and the player evacuated after 22 minutes, after objects were thrown from the stands.
The controversy originated inside the venue, where thousands of fans complained of serious organizational problems after paying high prices for tickets and seeing a cordon of politicians, officials and security personnel blocking the player’s visibility.
As part of the investigation, police have arrested the promoter responsible for managing the event in the city, who on Sunday was remanded in 14 days’ police custody, while regional authorities have announced the creation of a committee to determine responsibilities.
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