India, Dec. 18 -- Lionel Messi's much-awaited tour of India reached its end as he traversed the length and breadth of the subcontinent to visit four cities and receive the adulation of millions of fans. While the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of Messi on Indian soil had its own value, there was no lack of disagreement with certain elements of the tour - particularly as the gulf between the standing of domestic football and football overseas from the perspective of the average Indian fan became clear.

Following the conclusion of the GOAT Tour, Indian national team defender and veteran Sandesh Jhingan took the opportunity to make his bid for attention to be given to domestic football, with this event having refocused Indian football ...