New Delhi: A towering 70-foot statue of football legend Lionel Messi has been removed from Kolkata’s Lake Town area just six months after its installation, following concerns about its structural safety.
The statue, erected along VIP Road in December last year, was built as a tribute to Messi ahead of his highly publicized GOAT Tour of India. Depicting the Argentine superstar holding the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy, the monument quickly became a landmark for football fans in the city.
However, local residents raised alarms after noticing the giant structure swaying during strong winds. Complaints were submitted to the Public Works Department (PWD), which conducted an inspection of the site. Authorities reportedly found that the statue’s structural integrity had been compromised, creating a potential safety risk for pedestrians and motorists in the busy area.
Confirming the decision to remove the monument, West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee stated that the statue was deemed unsafe after experts observed noticeable movement in windy conditions. Built in just 27 days, the structure has now been dismantled to prevent any possible accident.
Officials are currently exploring alternative locations where the statue can be safely reassembled and displayed.
The development comes amid lingering controversy surrounding Messi’s visit to Kolkata during his India tour. The event at Salt Lake Stadium had witnessed scenes of chaos as disappointed fans complained of poor crowd management and limited access to the football icon. Some spectators alleged that VIP guests and political figures received preferential treatment, preventing many ticket holders from getting a clear view of Messi.
Frustrations eventually spilled over into vandalism, with sections of the crowd damaging event infrastructure and attempting to enter restricted zones. Police were forced to intervene to restore order.
Separately, the organiser of Messi’s India tour recently lodged a complaint against former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas, alleging misconduct related to ticket distribution and event access management.
