Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, countless fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.

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

His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports indicated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, frustrated fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his visit there.

A Packed Schedule Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a series of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.

Troubled Kickoff in Football-Loving 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 thousands of ardent supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, many 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 became tense.

"Poor management of a highly anticipated event, disorganization" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."

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

The organizer in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.

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

In between these engagements, Messi could be seen acknowledging large fan gatherings 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 departed on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of His Immense Fame in India

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