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Calls It a Missed Opportunity for Grassroots Sport
Chandigarh: Olympic gold medallist and former Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra on Monday expressed discomfort over the manner in which Argentine football great Lionel Messi’s India tour was conducted, saying he felt a “quiet sadness” seeing millions spent on fleeting photo opportunities and momentary access to the global icon.
Messi’s three-day, four-city G.O.A.T Tour of India triggered massive fan frenzy but also widespread criticism after reports of chaos, elite-only access and limited public engagement, including violent scenes in Kolkata, where many fans failed to even glimpse the football legend despite paying heavily for tickets.
‘Moments of Proximity, Not Sporting Purpose’
In a detailed post on X, Bindra said the spectacle left him uneasy and prompted deeper reflection. “Millions were spent for moments of proximity—photographs and fleeting access to a legend. It is people’s money, earned honestly, and theirs to spend as they choose,” he wrote. “Still, I can’t help but feel a quiet sadness, wondering what might have been possible if even a fraction of that energy and investment had been directed toward the foundations of sport in our country.”
Respect for Messi, Critique of the Model
Bindra was careful to underline that his criticism was not directed at Messi, whom he deeply admired. “Lionel Messi is one of those rare athletes whose story transcends sport—from a child fighting physical odds to redefining excellence at the highest level,” said the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist, praising Messi’s perseverance, humility and pursuit of greatness. “I fully understand the economics of sport, global branding and the magnetism of icons. I do not fault Messi in any way. He has earned every opportunity that comes his way,” he added.
‘Are We Building Sport or Just Celebrating Icons?’
However, Bindra questioned whether the resources spent on the tour had any long-term sporting value, noting that Messi’s itinerary was primarily restricted to closed-door meet-and-greet events, with little or no direct engagement with fans or grassroots football.
“As a society, are we building a culture of sport, or are we simply celebrating individuals from afar?” he asked. “Great sporting nations are not built by moments. They are built by systems, patience, and belief in the ordinary child with an extraordinary dream.”
Call for Long-Term Vision
Bindra said true inspiration must be backed by intent and sustained commitment. “Icons like Messi inspire us—and that inspiration matters. But it must be met with choices that strengthen us tomorrow, not just excite us today,” he said. He concluded that the most meaningful way to honour legends of Messi’s stature was by investing in robust sporting ecosystems, adding, “That is how sporting cultures are born—and how legacies endure.”
