New Delhi: Lionel Messi’s much awaited return to India began in Kolkata on Saturday with the unveiling of a towering 70 foot statue celebrating the Argentine legend. The event marked the opening of his GOAT Tour of India and was held amid high anticipation at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan and at Lake Town, where the statue has been installed by the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club.
The statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolising his historic triumph at the 2022 World Cup. Crafted from iron and completed in a record 40 days, the installation has drawn widespread attention and is being described as the tallest statue of the footballer anywhere in the world. Messi virtually unveiled the structure after giving prior consent, with organisers saying he and his team expressed satisfaction after viewing it.
Messi arrived in the city early in the morning, triggering scenes of excitement across Kolkata. Thousands of fans gathered at multiple locations in the hope of catching a glimpse of the global football icon. The atmosphere reflected the city’s deep rooted football culture and Messi’s immense popularity among Indian supporters. The event was attended by several prominent personalities, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and actor Shah Rukh Khan, whom Messi met earlier in the day along with industrialist Sanjiv Goenka.
This visit holds special significance as it is Messi’s first trip to India since 2011, when he played a friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in which Argentina defeated Venezuela 1 0. His return after 14 years had raised expectations of a memorable public interaction.
However, the excitement soon gave way to disappointment. Messi stayed at the venue only briefly before leaving, citing security concerns amid overcrowding. Many fans complained of inadequate crowd management and limited access, with frustration spilling over into protests and minor damage to parts of the stadium infrastructure.
Several attendees said they were unable to see Messi clearly despite long waits and high ticket prices. For many, the brief appearance felt underwhelming, as the footballer did not take part in any on field activity.
Political criticism followed, with opposition leaders questioning the planning and security arrangements for an event of such scale. Despite the controversy, Messi is scheduled to continue his India tour with a visit to Hyderabad later on Saturday, as part of the three day programme celebrating his legacy and connection with fans.
