Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, following a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, a multitude of fans congregated 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 – 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 postponed due to fog, sources reported, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.

A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the early hours of Saturday.

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

Disastrous Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after frustrated fans tore seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of 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 brief walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation turned hostile.

"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

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

Peaceful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.

Messi also encountered 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 meetings, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan crowds in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Root of Messi's Vast Appeal in India

Messi's popularity stems not just from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.