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

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

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

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

His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, reports indicated, and his itinerary had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his visit there.

A Busy Schedule Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the pre-dawn 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.

Disastrous Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a chaotic start after frustrated 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 thousands of ardent supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, many 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 quickly whisked away as the situation grew violent.

"Inept organization of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – not allowed even a sight of Messi – "released their frustration 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 sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

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 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 meetings, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings 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 left the country on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Vast Popularity in India

Messi's popularity comes not only 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 millions of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.