Calm Finish to Lionel Messi's Visit to India Following Kolkata Chaos

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

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

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

His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports reported, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Busy Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities

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

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

Disastrous Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

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

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

However, many didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.

"Poor management of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."

The unrest, 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 promoter in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.

Peaceful Engagements in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these meetings, Messi could be seen waving to large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Reason of His Great Appeal in India

Messi's popularity stems not just from his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.