Gavaskar Turns Spotlight on Messi: 'Commitments Must be Honoured Before Blame Game'

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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has sparked a fresh debate on the Lionel Messi controversy in Kolkata. In an article for Sportsstar, Gavaskar argues that the blame for the Argentine footballer's early exit from the Salt Lake Stadium should be directed at Messi himself, rather than organisers or VIP culture. Gavaskar points out that the public is not aware of the precise terms agreed upon between Messi's team and the organisers. However, he suggests that this lack of transparency should not automatically lead to a blame game against Indians. Instead, the focus should be on whether Messi honoured his commitment to the fans. The ex-Indian captain disputes the notion that Messi's early exit was due to security concerns. While acknowledging that the footballer was surrounded by politicians and VIPs, Gavaskar claims that this does not necessarily explain the cut-short appearance. Gavaskar then reframes the debate, asking what exactly Messi was expected to do at the Salt Lake Stadium. He suggests that if there was a tangible activity planned, such as taking a penalty kick, it would have naturally created separation and visibility, giving the crowd the moment they came for. In contrast, Gavaskar highlights that Messi's other India appearances went smoothly because commitments were met. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of verifying whether commitments were honoured on both sides before blaming anyone. Gavaskar's argument is a timely reminder that commitments must be honoured, and that the blame game should only begin after verifying the facts. As he puts it, 'So, before blaming fellow Indians in Kolkata, it might be worth checking whether commitments on both sides were honoured.'