Peaceful End to Messi's Visit to India Following Disorder in Kolkata

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

On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.

His flight from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, sources stated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his event there.

A Packed Agenda Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a packed schedule in India, participating in a succession of promotional 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, built over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Beginning in Football-Loving Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after disappointed fans ripped up 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 adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, many were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."

The unrest, which captured international headlines, cast a shadow over 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 arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.

Peaceful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend online and in media interviews.

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 crowds in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

There were speculation earlier that Messi would meet Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of Messi's Immense Popularity in India

Messi's fame 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 deep bond that countless Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.