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

Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentina and Inter Miami attacker.

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

His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources stated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

An Intense Schedule Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the city in eastern India.

Troubled Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a chaotic start after frustrated fans tore 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 be at the event.

However, most of them failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by resorting to violence."

The unrest, which made international headlines, overshadowed 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 police custody.

Smooth Engagements in Other Cities

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in press interactions.

Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these meetings, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Reason of His Immense Popularity in India

Messi's appeal is due to more than his long international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that countless Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.