From Tribute to Threat: Wind forces India to pull down Lionel Messi statue

A giant statue of Lionel Messi erected in Kolkata to commemorate the Argentine star’s visit to India in 2025 is set to be removed after authorities raised serious safety concerns.

The 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured monument, unveiled during Lionel Messi’s “GOAT Tour of India” in December, was found to be unstable after engineers noticed the structure swaying in strong winds.

The statue, which depicts the Argentina national football team captain lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, currently towers over a busy roadway in the eastern Indian city.

Workers were seen climbing the massive structure on Wednesday, securing ropes around the statue’s shoulders to stabilise it temporarily.

West Bengal legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed that engineers from the state government had deemed the monument unsafe.

“The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” Mukherjee said.

“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

According to Mukherjee, authorities are now planning to dismantle the structure as quickly as possible, although the operation has proven complicated.

“Removal has proved easier said than done,” he added. “We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.”

It remains unclear whether the statue will later be relocated and reinstalled at another site.

Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF, remains one of the most celebrated football figures in India despite the country’s modest standing in world football.

The 38-year-old Argentine is also widely expected to feature for Argentina at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which could mark a record-equalling sixth appearance at the tournament.