Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has finished his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans congregated 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 – booting balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd roared his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, local media stated, and his schedule had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

An Intense Schedule Across Multiple Cities

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

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

Chaotic Start in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after disappointed fans destroyed seats and hurled 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 spent up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, the majority were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation turned hostile.

"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, disorganization" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by indulging in violence."

The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been dubbed 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 detention.

Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the international legend on social media and in media interviews.

Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these engagements, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

There were reports earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister left the country on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of His Great Popularity in India

Messi's popularity is due to more than his lengthy international career and wide 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.