Calm Finish to Messi's Visit to India After Kolkata Chaos

Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami colleagues Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, frustrated fans damaged a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Packed Schedule Across Multiple Cities

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he remotely presented a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after frustrated fans destroyed seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless ardent 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 quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.

"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "vented their anger by engaging in violence."

The ruckus, which captured 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 taken into custody, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Peaceful Events in Other Cities

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the international legend online and in press interactions.

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 assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Reason of His Immense Fame in India

Messi's appeal stems not just from 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 countless Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.