Smooth Conclusion to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata

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

On Monday, a multitude of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.

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

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, sources reported, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his visit there.

An Intense Schedule Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

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

Troubled Beginning in Football-Crazy 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 immensely 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, the majority didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation grew violent.

"Faulty planning of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "vented their anger by resorting to violence."

The unrest, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

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

Successful Engagements in Other Cities

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

Messi also had meetings with several politicians and celebrities – Bollywood star 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 greeting large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

There were reports earlier that Messi would have a meeting with Narendra Modi in Delhi, but the Indian prime minister traveled abroad on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of Messi's Immense Fame in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his long international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.