Calm End to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Kolkata Chaos

Global football icon Lionel Messi has finished his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.

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

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

A Packed Itinerary Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, attending a succession of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

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

Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless ardent supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to attend 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 quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.

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

The ruckus, 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 ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Smooth Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – film actor 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 waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Source of Messi's Immense Appeal in India

Messi's popularity comes not only from his long international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.