Peaceful Conclusion to Messi's India Tour Following Kolkata Chaos

Global football icon Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

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

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd shouted his name.

His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media stated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.

A Busy Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.

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

Chaotic Beginning in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a troubled start after disappointed 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 forked out up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, the majority failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation grew violent.

"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "expressed their fury by indulging in violence."

The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, cast a shadow over 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 taken into custody, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Smooth Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the global icon online and in press interactions.

Messi also met several politicians 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 interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Reason of Messi's Immense Appeal in India

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