Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has concluded his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, in the wake of a turbulent opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, a multitude of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentina and Inter Miami striker.

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

His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, reports indicated, and his schedule had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his event there.

A Packed Agenda Spanning Multiple Cities

Messi had a busy schedule in India, taking part in a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since touching down in the wee hours of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the city in eastern India.

Disastrous Kickoff in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, began with 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 attend the event.

However, many failed 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 much-publicized event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "war zone", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by engaging in violence."

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

The promoter in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Peaceful Visits in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in press interactions.

Messi also encountered several politicians and celebrities – film actor Shah Rukh Khan in Kolkata, political figure Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these engagements, Messi could be seen greeting large fan gatherings in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Reason of Messi's Immense Fame in India

Messi's popularity stems not just from his long international career and broad 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 called the beautiful game.