Peaceful Conclusion to Lionel Messi's Visit to India After Unrest in Kolkata

The football star finished his India tour with an event at a stadium in Delhi on Monday — Messi wrapped up his India tour with an engagement at a sports arena in Delhi on Monday.

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

On Monday, a multitude of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentinian and Inter Miami striker.

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, entered the pitch – kicking balls into the stands, playing with a group of children, and signing autographs – the crowd chanted his name.

His aircraft from Mumbai had been delayed due to fog, reports stated, and his agenda had to be cut down. On Saturday, angry fans wrecked a Kolkata stadium because they didn't get to see him during his appearance there.

A Packed Agenda Across Several Metropolises

Messi had a hectic schedule in India, participating in a string of brand events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai since landing in the pre-dawn of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he digitally revealed a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, constructed over 27 days by a 45-person crew in the city in eastern India.

Disastrous Kickoff in Football-Loving Kolkata

A supporter holds a jersey of Messi at the event in Delhi — An admirer shows a jersey of Messi at the event in Delhi.

The tour, however, started with a disastrous start after angry fans ripped up seats and hurled items towards the pitch at the stadium.

Football is extremely popular in West Bengal state – of which Kolkata is the capital – and thousands of devoted supporters had spent up to 12,000 rupees to be at the event.

However, the majority 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.

"Faulty planning of a highly anticipated event, poor coordination" and safety failures turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans – denied even a glimpse of Messi – "released their frustration by engaging in violence."

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

The organizer in Kolkata has been taken into custody, police said, and a city court has ordered Satadru Dutta to 14 days in custody.

Successful Events in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Messi played football with children at a stadium in Delhi — Messi had a kickabout with kids at a sports arena in Delhi.

Messi's appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai concluded peacefully, with fans showing their happiness at seeing the global icon 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 cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

Messi virtually unveiled a 70ft statue of himself in Kolkata — Messi digitally presented a towering statue of himself in Kolkata.

Messi met Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan assemblies in stadiums and juggling the ball with groups of children.

There were rumors 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 Great Fame in India

Messi's fame stems not just from his lengthy international career and extensive 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 referred to as the beautiful game.