"Delhi CM Faces ‘AQI, AQI’ Chorus at Messi Event amidst Soaring Air Pollution Levels"

Messi's Arrival in Delhi Delayed Due to Foggy Conditions

Global football superstar Lionel Messi encountered a delay in his charter flight to the capital city of India, as thick foggy conditions hampered his scheduled arrival time. Originally set to land at 10:45 am, the aircraft touched down at 2:30 pm, causing Messi to reach the venue at 4:30 pm.

As Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined Messi on stage at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the final leg of the GOAT Tour, a new chant reverberated through the arena. Despite the hazardous air quality in the city, thousands of fans welcomed their hero with a resounding “Messi, Messi” chant earlier in the day, only to shift to chanting “AQI, AQI” later on.

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had soared to 325 on that day, marking the third consecutive day of 'Severe' pollution with an average index of 427. The previous day had seen the capital record its most polluted day of the season, with an average AQI of 461 — the second-worst December air quality since 2015 when monitoring began.

Witnesses at the stadium described the visible impact of smog on the surroundings, with even video recordings capturing the hazy conditions. The unexpected chants of “AQI, AQI” arose as the Delhi CM made her entrance, showcasing the audience's concerns about the city's air quality.

Business professional Vibhor, who arrived early at the stadium, shared his experience saying, "The air was definitely not good… the impact of smog was visible even in video recordings on phone cameras. The stadium turned to chanting 'AQI, AQI' when the Delhi CM entered. It was an impromptu action, to be honest."

Following his delayed arrival, Messi engaged with young footballers from Chandigarh’s Minerva Academy before showcasing his skills on the field alongside his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. The football icon later met with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC chairman Jay Shah, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.

Despite the challenging conditions, the "AQI, AQI" chants persisted throughout the event, even as Gupta departed the stadium amidst mixed reactions from the crowd.

Reporter Pritish Raj, stationed in New Delhi and associated with The Indian Express' sports team, provided insights into the unique and eventful day surrounding Lionel Messi's visit to Delhi.