Smooth End to Messi's Visit to India In the Wake of Disorder in Kolkata

Global football icon Lionel Messi has wrapped up his multi-day India tour in smog-filled Delhi, in the wake of a disorderly opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, a multitude of fans assembled in a Delhi stadium to see the Argentinian and Inter Miami attacker.

As Messi, joined by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the pitch – booting balls into the stands, passing with a group of children, and giving signatures – the crowd roared his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, local media indicated, and his agenda had to be trimmed. On Saturday, disappointed fans vandalised a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his event there.

A Packed Itinerary Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, taking part in a succession of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since arriving in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before making his way to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, built over 27 days by a large crew in the eastern city.

Chaotic Beginning in Soccer-Mad Kolkata

The tour, however, started with a chaotic start after disappointed 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 countless ardent supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, many failed to see him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his quick walk around the stadium and then rapidly taken away as the situation grew violent.

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

The unrest, which made 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 promoter in Kolkata has been detained, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in detention.

Successful Engagements in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai went off without a hitch, with fans expressing their joy at seeing the international legend online and in media interviews.

Messi also had meetings with 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 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 traveled abroad on Monday morning on a pre-arranged visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.

The Reason of Messi's Immense 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 deep bond that millions of Indians have with what is often known as the beautiful game.