Peaceful Finish to Messi's India Tour Following Disorder in Kolkata

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

On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates 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 shouted his name.

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

A Busy Itinerary Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a packed schedule in India, taking part in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the early hours of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.

Chaotic Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after frustrated fans ripped up 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 thousands of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.

"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."

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

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

Successful Visits in Other Cities

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend 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 speculation earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of Messi's Immense Fame in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.