Months after unveiling, Kolkata removes giant Messi statue over safety fears

Months after it was unveiled as a tribute to football icon Lionel Messi, the giant statue in Kolkata’s Lake Town was removed on Monday after authorities raised safety concerns over the structure.

The decision came after residents living near the VIP Road stretch complained that the statue appeared to sway during strong winds, prompting an inspection and eventual relocation of the monument.

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Installed ahead of Messi’s India tour last December, the monument had drawn football fans from across the city and quickly emerged as a local landmark. Its removal marks an abrupt turn for what was once celebrated as Kolkata’s tribute to one of the game’s greatest players.

The statue, which depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was erected ahead of the football legend’s December visit to the city. Along with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi travelled to multiple Indian cities during the tour, with Kolkata emerging as one of its most anticipated stops.

Questions over the monument’s safety surfaced after local residents alerted authorities about visible movement in the structure during strong winds. An inspection reportedly found issues affecting its structural integrity, prompting officials to decide that the statue should be dismantled and shifted before any untoward incident occurs.

West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee had earlier said that the statue was found to be unsafe after inspections were carried out.

“The statue of the Argentine football legend was found to be unsafe. We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind,” he was quoted as saying by ESPN.

Why is the Messi statue being relocated?

Residents living near the VIP Road stretch had flagged concerns after noticing movement in the structure during windy conditions. After examining the structure, officials concluded that the statue would have to be shifted from the site.

Officials said the statue is expected to be relocated rather than scrapped, with efforts now focused on identifying a suitable location where it can be reinstalled safely.

A tribute that became a talking point

For months, the giant Messi statue stood as a reminder of the football legend’s visit to Kolkata. Fans posed for selfies, motorists slowed down for a look, and the structure became a familiar sight in Lake Town.

That changed after residents complained that the statue appeared to be moving in the wind. An inspection followed, and officials eventually decided it would have to be shifted before it became a safety hazard.

Authorities are now looking for another location where the statue can be put up again.