Smooth End to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata

Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

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

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

His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media stated, and his schedule had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.

A Packed Agenda Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a string of marketing 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 unveiled a massive statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.

Troubled Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after angry fans tore 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 devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, the majority failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.

"Poor management of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

The disturbance, which captured 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 promoter in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.

Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in media interviews.

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

In between these interactions, 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 scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Great Fame in India

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