A 70-foot statue of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in Kolkata will be removed after engineers reportedly found the structure unsafe following complaints from local residents about it swinging in the air. The giant golden monument, installed on VIP Road in Laketown, was unveiled during the Massey’s “GOAT Tour” visit to Kolkata in December last year. The statue depicts the Argentina captain holding the FIFA World Cup trophy following his country’s victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. According to local officials, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) inspected the fiberglass and iron structure after concerns were raised about its stability during high winds and changing weather conditions. West Bengal lawmaker Sharadut Mukherjee confirmed that the structural integrity of the statue had been compromised and said authorities were now planning to remove it. “The statue of the Argentinian football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by West Bengal government engineers,” Mukherjee said, according to AFP. “We have seen the statue swaying in the air.” Mukherjee acknowledged the difficulty of finishing the structure due to its proximity to a busy road and a subway area. “The removal process has proven to be easy,” he said, adding, “We are planning to remove the statue as soon as possible.” It is not yet clear whether the statue will later be reinstalled elsewhere.
The statue has been secured with ropes while officials look into safety concerns.
Pictures from the site on Tuesday showed workers climbing the massive structure and securing heavy-duty nylon ropes around the statue’s shoulders in an attempt to temporarily stabilize it. Barricades were also erected around the installation to prevent pedestrian and vehicular movement near the site while the inspection was underway. According to ANI, officials visited the site after residents reported visible movement in the structure during windy conditions. A contractor present during the inspection told ANI: “We came to inspect the Messi statue following reports that it was swaying in the air. The higher authorities will decide the next course of action.” Officials are continuing to monitor the installation and assess whether further reinforcement work or a complete replacement will be required for long-term safety. The statue was reportedly assembled by a crew of around 45 workers in 27 days and installed by the Sri Bhoomi Sporting Club in South Dum Dum, Kolkata. Earlier this year, Messi virtually inaugurated the memorial through a video during promotional activities associated with his visit to India.
Messi’s visit to Kolkata had earlier sparked controversies and crowd disturbances.
The latest developments surrounding the statue came shortly after the controversy surrounding Messi’s visit to Kolkata and the events of the “GOAT Tour” associated with it. Last week, organizer Satdru Dutta reportedly filed a complaint against former West Bengal sports minister Arup Biswas, alleging mismanagement related to the event, including allegations of misappropriation of tickets and pressure to issue access cards. Messi’s presence at the Salt Lake Stadium also saw a crowd breakdown when fans were reportedly disappointed after the footballer’s early departure from the venue. Several fans reportedly complained that VIPs and political figures monopolized access to Messi, leaving many attendees unable to get a proper look at the Argentina captain despite purchasing expensive tickets. According to reports, the situation escalated when some spectators allegedly tried to violate restricted areas and damaged parts of the event’s infrastructure, including tents and goal posts. The police later intervened and reportedly used mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order to the stadium premises.
Messi is still expected to lead Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his long-term international future, Lionel Messi is still expected to feature for Argentina’s national football team at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup after being included in Argentina’s initial 55-man squad to be released on May 11. The 26-man squad is expected to be confirmed between May 28 and 29 ahead of the FIFA deadline. Argentina will begin their title defense on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) goes to the corner of the field to take a corner kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Messi has not officially confirmed whether he will take part in the tournament, although his return is expected to lead to a record-equalling sixth FIFA World Cup. The 38-year-old has remained a central figure in Argentina since winning the World Cup in Qatar four years ago and continues to play club football for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest ever players, Messi is hugely popular in Kolkata and across West Bengal, where the Argentine traditionally enjoys one of the largest fan followings in Indian football culture.
