Kolkata’s 70-Foot Messi Statue Faces Removal Over Safety Concerns Just Months After Installation

Pearl Doshi - Gujarat Bureau May 28, 2026 1,150 Views

Authorities in Kolkata have confirmed that the 70-foot golden statue of Lionel Messi, unveiled in December 2025 during his “GOAT Tour” of India, will be removed after engineers declared it unsafe. The structure, located on VIP Road in Lake Town, was found “swaying in the wind,” raising serious safety concerns for commuters and residents.

The statue of Lionel Messi, depicting him lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, was installed to celebrate Argentina’s 2022 triumph and Messi’s visit to India. However, just five months after its unveiling, structural instability has forced authorities to plan its removal, marking an abrupt end to what was intended as a landmark tribute.

Safety Concerns

Engineers from the West Bengal Public Works Department inspected the fibreglass and iron structure after local residents reported visible movement during strong winds. Their findings confirmed that the statue’s structural integrity had been compromised, prompting immediate safety measures. Workers secured the statue with heavy-duty ropes and erected barricades around the site to restrict traffic and pedestrian movement.

Government Response

West Bengal legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee stated that the statue was unsafe and needed to be dismantled at the earliest opportunity. He acknowledged that removal was proving difficult due to its location beside a busy road and near a subway area. Authorities are still evaluating whether the statue will be reinstalled at another site once dismantled.

Cultural Context

The statue was part of Messi’s “GOAT Tour” of India, which drew massive crowds and highlighted football’s growing popularity in a cricket-dominated nation. India currently ranks 142nd in FIFA rankings, but football remains the country’s second most popular sport, according to Nielsen research.

Smart Sports Insights

•⁠ ⁠Statue unveiled in December 2025 during Messi’s GOAT Tour of India

•⁠ ⁠Located on VIP Road, Lake Town, Kolkata

•⁠ ⁠70-foot golden-coloured structure made of fibreglass and iron

•⁠ ⁠Found unsafe by engineers after reports of swaying in the wind

•⁠ ⁠Workers secured statue with ropes and barricades, removal planned soon

•⁠ ⁠Authorities undecided on reinstallation at another site

Sources: Al Jazeera, Gulf Today, The Straits Times, Times of India, TVC News

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