Calm End to Lionel Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in hazy Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.

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 aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports stated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

An Intense Itinerary Spanning Multiple Cities

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

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.

Chaotic Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a troubled start after angry fans ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is extremely 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 were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.

"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by resorting to violence."

The ruckus, which made international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

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

Successful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon on social media and in press interactions.

Messi also had meetings with 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 crowds 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 left the country on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of His Vast Fame in India

Messi's popularity is due to more than his long international career and broad TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.