Smooth Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

Football superstar Lionel Messi has concluded his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

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

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

His plane from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.

An Intense Schedule Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a packed schedule in India, attending a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before traveling to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally presented a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.

Troubled Start in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a troubled start after frustrated fans tore seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is hugely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and countless adoring supporters had forked out up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, many didn't even get to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his short walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation turned hostile.

"Faulty planning of a hyped-up event, disorganization" and safety failures 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 unrest, which grabbed 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 event organiser in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has sent Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Smooth 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 political figures and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these meetings, Messi could be seen waving to 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 traveled abroad on Monday morning on a scheduled visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Source of His Great Appeal in India

Messi's appeal comes not only from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often referred to as the beautiful game.