Smooth End to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Unrest in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.

His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports indicated, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his event there.

A Packed Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.

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

Disastrous Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

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

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

However, the majority failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by resorting to violence."

The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, marred 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 ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Smooth Events in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.

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

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

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

The Reason of His Vast Appeal in India

Messi's fame is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.