Smooth Conclusion to Messi's India Tour After Disorder in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.

As Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports reported, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his visit there.

An Intense Itinerary Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a disastrous 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 thousands of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to witness the event.

However, many failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation became tense.

"Poor management of a highly anticipated event, lack of co-ordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

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

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

Smooth Visits in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure 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 dribbling the ball with groups of children.

There were reports 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 Great Fame in India

Messi's appeal stems not just from his prolific 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 referred to as the beautiful game.