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

Football superstar Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, a multitude of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.

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

His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media reported, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

A Busy Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a succession of marketing 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 digitally presented a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.

Chaotic Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a troubled start after frustrated fans destroyed seats and flung 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 paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, many didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "expressed their fury by indulging in violence."

The unrest, which captured 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Peaceful Engagements in Other Cities

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star 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 acknowledging large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Root of Messi's Vast Fame in India

Messi's fame is due to more than his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.