Peaceful Finish to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Disorder in Kolkata

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

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

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

His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports reported, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

A Packed Schedule Across Several Metropolises

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

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

Disastrous Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after disappointed fans destroyed 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 adoring supporters had forked out 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 quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by indulging in 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 detained, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Smooth Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the world-famous star 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 interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

There were reports earlier that Messi would meet 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 Reason of Messi's Vast Popularity in India

Messi's appeal is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.