Calm End to Messi's India Tour In the Wake of Kolkata Chaos

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, after a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans congregated in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami forward.

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

His flight from Mumbai had been held up due to fog, sources indicated, and his agenda had to be shortened. On Saturday, frustrated fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they failed to see him during his appearance there.

A Busy Itinerary Spanning Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, attending a string of marketing events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a 21-meter statue of himself, built over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Kickoff in Football-Crazy Kolkata

The tour, however, began with a disastrous start after angry fans destroyed 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 thousands of adoring supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, most of them failed to see him as he was enveloped by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then hurriedly escorted away as the situation grew violent.

"Poor management of a much-publicized event, poor coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "expressed their fury by resorting to violence."

The unrest, 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 detained, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Peaceful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's events in 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 met several political figures and celebrities – Bollywood star 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 juggling the ball with groups of children.

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

The Root of His Great Appeal in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his prolific international career and extensive TV coverage of European football – he's the all-time top scorer for Barcelona – but also the strong affinity that millions of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.