Smooth Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India Following Kolkata Chaos

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

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

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – sending 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 indicated, and his itinerary had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.

A Busy Agenda Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a succession of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the early hours of Saturday.

Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after disappointed fans destroyed seats and flung items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, many failed to see him as he was accompanied by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation turned hostile.

"Faulty planning of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by resorting to violence."

The disturbance, which made international headlines, marred 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 ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Successful Events in Other Cities

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

Messi also had meetings with several political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling 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 departed on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Great Popularity in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the highest goal-getter for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that a huge number of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.