A 70-foot statue of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has been removed from Kolkata’s Lake Town area after residents raised concerns about its stability during strong winds.
The statue, installed along VIP Road, had been erected in December last year ahead of Messi’s visit to India as part of his GOAT Tour. The structure depicted the football icon holding the FIFA World Cup trophy won by Argentina in 2022 and was built by fans as a tribute to the star.
Residents reportedly complained to the Public Works Department (PWD) after noticing the statue swaying during windy conditions. Following an inspection, authorities concluded that the structure’s stability had been compromised and that it posed a potential safety risk.
West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said, “The statue of the Argentine football legend was found to be unsafe.”
“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind,” Mukherjee added.
The monument had been constructed over a period of 27 days. Authorities are now examining alternative locations where the statue can be reassembled after necessary safety measures are taken.
Messi visited India last year, making stops in West Bengal, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. He was accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul during the tour.
The development comes days after Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser of Messi’s GOAT Tour in India, filed a complaint against former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas. The complaint alleged misconduct, including claims relating to the use of tickets for Messi’s Kolkata event and pressure regarding the issuance of access cards.
The Kolkata leg of Messi’s tour had also witnessed crowd management issues. Fans who purchased premium tickets at Salt Lake Stadium reportedly became agitated after Messi left the venue earlier than expected. Some spectators allegedly threw bottles and attempted to move between stands, claiming they were unable to properly see the football star.
The situation later escalated into vandalism, with some attendees allegedly attempting to damage event infrastructure, including tents and a goalpost. Police intervened and used mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order at the stadium.
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