Kolkata: Stars and stalwarts from the world of movie, politics and sports descended at the city's Salt Lake stadium to witness soccer star Lionel Messi and company battle out against Venezuela in the first ever India-hosted FIFA international friendly on Friday.
Cine icons Ranbir Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Rahul Bose and Anurag Basu; singers Shaan and Babul Supriyo; and football legends Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee and Baichung Bhutia were many of the big names present to witness the historic game.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief and union heavy Industries minister Praful Patel, West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra and governor MK Narayanan shook hands with the players before the start of the game.
Prior to the match, Patel said: "Who's not a Messi fan? I am too. But I cannot be a partisan spectator. I am here to support the game," was Patel's diplomatic reply when asked about his favourite player and team.
The partisan crowd was not to be left behind. They came to be mesmerised by Messi and the world's highest rated player did not disappoint, spearheading the Argentine attack with his individual brilliance on Friday.
The 80,000-odd crowd at the Salt Lake stadium was completely behind the ball magician from Rosaro and everytime he got the ball or took the initiative to set up the likes of Angel di Maria, the crowd was roaring and on their feet.
Cries of "Messi, Messi" were constantly heard during the FIFA Official International Friendly, as the 5-feet-7-inch player showcased his delightful fast turns, passing skills and position sense.
From the moment he got his first touch of the ball in the 40th second, Messi showed he was a class apart, though the Venezuelans managed to cut off the deadly Argentine combined moves times without number.
Since Messi set foot in Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday, football lovers here have been delirious.
Posters eulogising him have sprung up across the city, large number of flex hoardings - some as high as 18 feet - with his picture are found on the city outskirts.
And with his excellent ball distribution and the curling left-footed freekick that hit the sidenetting, Messi showed on Friday that he deserves all this, despite his lack of full intensity and unfamiliarity with the artificial turf.
Messi seemed a constant lurking danger for the Veenzuelans and finally the crowd went berserk when he unleashed a measured corner from the left which Nicolas Otamendi put home with a drop header to break the goalless deadlock.
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