Lionel Messi 70-foot statue in Kolkata to be removed over safety concerns

What was meant to be a grand tribute to Lionel Messi has now turned controversial, with Kolkata authorities deciding to remove a 70-foot statue over safety concerns, as per reports by ESPN, after it was allegedly found swaying in strong winds.

According to reports, local residents raised complaints with the Public Works Department (PWD) after the statue appeared unstable during windy conditions. Following an inspection, officials concluded that the structure’s integrity had been compromised, leading to the decision to dismantle it to prevent any potential mishap.

Advertisement

West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said, “The statue of the Argentine football legend was found to be unsafe.” He also added, “We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

The towering installation was built in December last year ahead of Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour’ India visit and was commissioned by the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town. Crafted over 27 days by artist Monty Pal and a team of over 30 artisans, the statue depicts Messi holding the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy.

The statue was part of the larger build-up to Messi’s India tour, which included stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.

However, the Kolkata leg of the tour has also been mired in controversy. Organiser Satadru Dutta, who was behind Messi’s GOAT Tour in India, has filed a complaint alleging misconduct by former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas. He has also claimed ticket misuse and alleged pressure related to the distribution of access cards for the event.

Also Read: Messi Kolkata chaos back in spotlight: Organiser Satadru Dutta accuses TMC’s Arup Biswas of threats, ticket scandal

The controversy adds to earlier chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium event, where reports of poor crowd management and unrest emerged after Messi left early, with allegations of restricted access and vandalism inside the venue.