New Delhi, Dec. 13 -- Moments before the much-anticipated Kolkata leg of Lionel Messi's tour descended into chaos, images showed the footballer clicking selfies with young fans. Several other pictures showed him under close security, waving at excited fans from the ground. A third image showed him dressed in a black t-shirt, appearing relaxed and cheerful amid a dense crowd of fans, officials, and police. Many tried to get close for photos.

The World Cup-winning captain arrived at Salt Lake Stadium around 11:30 am, accompanied by his long-time strike partner Luis Suarez and fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul.

The event, however, quickly spun out of control as thousands of fans inside the stadium staged protests, frustrated at being unable...