Calm End to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

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

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

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, sources reported, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his event there.

A Busy Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, attending a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a massive statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.

Troubled Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

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

However, the majority were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by resorting to violence."

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

The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

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

Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

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

There were rumors earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Immense Appeal in India

Messi's popularity comes not only from his long international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.