Calm Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

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

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

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

His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media reported, and his itinerary 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 Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.

Troubled Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a chaotic start after frustrated fans ripped up seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and a multitude of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, most of them didn't even get to see 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.

"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

The ruckus, which captured international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Smooth Events in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star 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 juggling 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 left the country on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Vast Fame in India

Messi's appeal is due to more than his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.