Calm Conclusion to Messi's Visit to India After Disorder in Kolkata

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media indicated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his visit there.

A Busy Agenda Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the early hours of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.

Disastrous Kickoff in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after angry fans ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.

However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.

"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."

The unrest, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

The organizer in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Successful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

There were reports earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister departed on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Great Fame in India

Messi's appeal is due to more than his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.