Smooth End to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

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

As Messi, joined by Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.

His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Packed Itinerary Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, participating in a series of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.

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

Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after frustrated fans destroyed 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 a multitude of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.

However, the majority didn't even get 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 became tense.

"Poor management of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."

The unrest, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed 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 police custody.

Successful Engagements in Other Cities

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend online 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 meetings, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Reason of Messi's Great Appeal in India

Messi's fame comes not only from his prolific international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.