Messi came for India but elite stole show
THE past week was supremely exciting for India.
Naturally so — when the GOAT arrives, everything else comes to a standstill. Streets, stadiums and even social media seemed to pause for Lionel Messi. Fans stopped their routines, hoping for even a fleeting glimpse of the football legend. But meeting him? That was a different story. Many venues charged tickets no less than ₹10,000 just to catch a glimpse of Messi from the middle of the stadium. Yet, even those who paid ended up disappointed. You see, Messi is not just a footballer — he is a global brand, a living symbol of excellence. And where there is such prestige, the elite follow closely. Politicians, celebrities and other high-profile figures swarmed him, ensuring their selfies and autographs, while ordinary fans were left on the edges, struggling to get a view.
It was honestly sickening to watch. Families and supporters like a........





















Toi Staff
Sabine Sterk
Penny S. Tee
Gideon Levy
Waka Ikeda
Grant Arthur Gochin