Kolkata, Dec. 13 -- Argentine great Lionel Messi received a rousing welcome on his arrival in the city, his second visit in 14 years, as thousands of fans wearing Barcelona's No. 10 jerseys, in wintry night, waited past midnight to catch a glimpse of the football legend.
Messi's plane landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport around 2:26 am, met by massive crowds chanting his name and waving Argentine flags.
A heavy security presence was deployed, yet fans flooded the airport perimeter and the vicinity of the Hyatt Regency hotel where he is staying. Kolkata, widely regarded as the "Mecca of Indian football," is gearing up for Messi's return after 14 years with large-scale celebrations, including a 70-foot statue and fan ...