Peaceful End to Lionel Messi's India Tour Following Unrest in Kolkata

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans gathered 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, entered the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing 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 itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Packed Agenda Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a series of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.

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

Troubled Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a disastrous 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 ardent supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, most of them were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.

"Inept organization of a much-publicized 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, marred 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 detained, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Successful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend on social media 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 engagements, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

There were speculation 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 pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Immense Appeal in India

Messi's appeal stems not just from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.