Calm Finish to Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Unrest in Kolkata

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

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

As Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd chanted his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been postponed due to fog, reports reported, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, disappointed fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they were unable to view him during his appearance there.

An Intense Agenda Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a succession of marketing 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 revealed a massive statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.

Troubled Start in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, got off to a disastrous start after disappointed fans tore seats and flung 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 paid up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, many failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation became tense.

"Poor management of a hyped-up event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "scene of chaos", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by indulging in violence."

The disturbance, which grabbed international headlines, marred Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called 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 detention.

Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews.

Messi also encountered 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 acknowledging large fan crowds in stadiums and dribbling the ball 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 planned visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Root of Messi's Vast Popularity in India

Messi's popularity comes not only from his lengthy international career and wide TV coverage of European football – he's the record scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game.