Peaceful Finish to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

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

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

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – sending balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd shouted his name.

His flight from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, sources stated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Busy Schedule Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

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

Troubled Kickoff in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, the majority failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.

"Faulty planning of a highly anticipated event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."

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

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

Successful Engagements in Other Cities

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.

Messi also encountered 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 greeting large fan assemblies in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Reason of His Vast Fame in India

Messi's appeal comes not only from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.