Peaceful Conclusion to Messi's India Tour Following Unrest in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

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

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

His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, sources stated, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.

An Intense Agenda Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a succession of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a massive statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.

Troubled Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a troubled start after frustrated fans tore seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is extremely 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 be at the event.

However, many failed 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 turned hostile.

"Faulty planning of a highly anticipated event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

The disturbance, which captured international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

The organizer in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the world-famous star online and in media interviews.

Messi also had meetings with several political figures 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 waving to large fan assemblies 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 left the country on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Immense Appeal in India

Messi's popularity is due to more than his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.