Smooth End to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata

Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

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

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami colleagues 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 chanted his name.

His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, local media indicated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.

A Busy Itinerary Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.

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

Troubled Start in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore 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 a multitude of devoted supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, most of them were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.

"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging 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 event organiser in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Peaceful Visits in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in press interactions.

Messi also met several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan crowds 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 left the country on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of His Immense Appeal in India

Messi's popularity stems not just from his lengthy 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 known as the beautiful game.