Statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata to be taken down over safety concerns
A towering golden statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata is set to be taken down after government engineers declared it unsafe, reports BritPanorama.
The 21-metre sculpture, located along VIP Road in the Lake Town area, has been reported swaying dangerously during strong winds. Local residents raised alarms after noticing its movement in adverse weather, raising fears about its stability.
In response, workers have been observed scrambling up the structure, throwing ropes around its shoulders in an effort to keep it stable. The Public Works Department has since reinforced the statue with ropes as an emergency safety measure while plans for its removal are being formulated.
The sculpture, which depicts the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star holding aloft the World Cup trophy, was unveiled amid much fanfare during Messi’s “GOAT Tour” of India in December 2024. It quickly became a popular attraction, celebrating Kolkata’s admiration for the footballing icon.
However, just five months after the celebration, the statue now poses a potential hazard over the busy road below, prompting concerns regarding whether sufficient structural checks were conducted prior to its installation. West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed that engineers found the statue to be unsafe, stating, “We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”
Despite these issues, the removal of the statue is complicated. Mukherjee noted, “Removal has proved easier said than done. We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity,” although he could not specify a timeline or whether the statue might be relocated.
As this situation unfolds, Messi remains a key figure, expected to lead Argentina in their World Cup defence against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, 2025. The fate of his statue, now a symbol of concern rather than celebration, reflects the sometimes precarious nature of public tributes to sporting legends.
