Smooth Finish to Messi's India Tour Following Kolkata Chaos

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, following a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

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

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

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

A Busy Itinerary Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a busy schedule in India, attending a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the wee hours of Saturday.

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

Troubled Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a troubled start after disappointed fans tore seats and threw 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 adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees to attend the event.

However, many didn't even get to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.

"Inept organization of a hyped-up event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – prevented from seeing of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."

The disturbance, which captured international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been termed a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

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

Smooth Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the world-famous star online and in press interactions.

Messi also encountered several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these interactions, Messi could be seen greeting large fan assemblies in stadiums and playing football with groups of children.

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

The Source of Messi's Vast Appeal in India

Messi's popularity is due to more than his prolific international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the emotional connection that a huge number of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.