Smooth End to Messi's Visit to India After Unrest in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in hazy Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to catch a sight of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.

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

His plane from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports stated, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a succession 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 virtually unveiled a massive statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.

Troubled Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after frustrated fans destroyed seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely 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 be at the event.

However, most of them didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."

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

The organizer in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Successful Visits in Other Cities

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also met 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 interactions, 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 departed on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Great Fame in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.