Peaceful Finish to Messi's India Tour After Disorder in Kolkata

Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.

As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – sending balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports reported, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.

A Packed Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a series of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely revealed a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.

Disastrous Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after frustrated fans destroyed 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 devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, most of them were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.

"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."

The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

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

Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.

Messi also encountered several political figures 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 meetings, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

There were rumors earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Immense Appeal in India

Messi's popularity stems not just from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.